Sulfonyl-derivatives as novel or histone deacetylase

ABSTRACT

This invention comprises the novel compounds of formula (I) 
                         
wherein n, m, t, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , L, Q, X, Y, Z and
 
                         
have defined meanings, having histone deacetylase inhibiting enzymatic activity; their preparation, compositions containing them and their use as a medicine.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/926,759filed on Oct. 29, 2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,704,998, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/668,906 filed on Jan. 30,2007 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,709,487, which is a divisional of U.S.application for patent Ser. No. 10/507,708, filed Sep. 13, 2004, whichis the National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 ofPCT/EP03/02516, filed Mar. 11, 2003, now U.S. Patent No. 7,205,304,which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/363,799, filed Mar. 13, 2002, and to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/420,989, filed Oct. 24, 2002, the contents of all of whichare incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

This invention concerns compounds having histone deacetylase (HDAC)inhibiting enzymatic activity. It further relates to processes for theirpreparation, to compositions comprising them, as well as their use, bothin vitro and in vivo, to inhibit HDAC and as a medicine, for instance asa medicine to inhibit proliferative conditions, such as cancer andpsoriasis.

In all eukaryotic cells, genomic DNA in chromatine associates withhistones to form nucleosomes. Each nucleosome consists of a proteinoctamer made up of two copies of each histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. DNAwinds around this protein core, with the basic amino acids of thehistones interacting with the negatively charged phosphate groups of theDNA. The most common posttranslational modification of these corehistones is the reversible acetylation of the ε-amino groups ofconserved, highly basic N-terminal lysine residues. The steady state ofhistone acetylation is established by the dynamic equilibrium betweencompeting histone acetyltransferase(s) and histone deacetylase(s) hereinreferred to as “HDAC”. Histone acetylation and deacetylation has longbeen linked to transcriptional control. The recent cloning of the genesencoding different histone acetyltransferases and histone deacetylasesprovided a possible explanation for the relationship between histoneacetylation and transcriptional control. The reversible acetylation ofhistones can result in chromatin remodelling and as such act as acontrol mechanism for gene transcription. In general, hyperacetylationof histones facilitates gene expression, whereas histone deacetylationis correlated with transcriptional repression. Histoneacetyltransferases were shown to act as transcriptional coactivators,whereas histone deacetylases were found to belong to transcriptionalrepression pathways.

The dynamic equilibrium between histone acetylation and deacetylation isessential for normal cell growth. Inhibition of histone deacetylaseresults in cell cycle arrest, cellular differentiation, apoptosis andreversal of the transformed phenotype. Therefore HDAC inhibitors canhave great therapeutic potential in the treatment of cell proliferativediseases or conditions (Marks et al., Nature Reviews, Cancer 1: 194-202,2001).

The study of inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDAC) indicates thatindeed these enzymes play an important role in cell proliferation anddifferentiation. The inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) causes cell cyclearrest at both G1 and G2 phases, reverts the transformed phenotype ofdifferent cell lines, and induces differentiation of Friend leukemiacells and others. TSA (and suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid SAHA) havebeen reported to inhibit cell growth, induce terminal differentiation,and prevent the formation of tumours in mice (Finnin et al., Nature,401: 188-193, 1999).

Trichostatin A has also been reported to be useful in the treatment offibrosis, e.g. liver fibrosis and liver chirrhosis. (Geerts et al.,European Patent Application EP 0 827 742, published 11 Mar., 1998).

Patent application WO01/38322 published on May 31, 2001 disclosesamongst others inhibitors of histone deacetylase of general formulaCy-L¹-Ar—Y¹—C(O)—NH—Z, providing compositions and methods for treatingcell proliferative diseases and conditions.

Patent application WO01/70675 published on 27 Sep., 2001 disclosesinhibitors of histone deacetylase of formula Cy-S(O)₂—NH—Y³—W andfurther provides compositions and methods for treating cellproliferative diseases and conditions.

The problem to be solved is to provide histone deacetylase inhibitorswith high enzymatic activity and also show advantageous properties suchas cellular activity and increased bioavailability, preferably oralbioavailability, and have little or no side effects.

The novel compounds of the present invention solve the above describedproblem. The compounds differ from the prior art in structure.

The compounds of the present invention show excellent in-vitro histonedeacetylase inhibiting enzymatic activity. The present compounds haveadvantageous properties with regard to cellular activity and specificproperties with regard to inhibition of cell cycle progression at bothG1 and G2 checkpoints (p21 induction capacity). The compounds of thepresent invention show good metabolic stability and high bioavailabilityand more particular they show oral bioavailability. Moreover, thecompounds of the present invention have a low affinity for the P450enzymes, which reduces the risk of adverse drug-drug interactionallowing also for a wider safety margin.

This invention concerns compounds of formula (I)

the N-oxide forms, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts andthe stereo-chemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein

-   n is 0, 1, 2 or 3 and when n is 0 then a direct bond is intended;-   t is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 and when t is 0 then a direct bond is intended;-   each Q is nitrogen or

-   each X is nitrogen or

-   each Y is nitrogen or

-   each Z is nitrogen or

-   R¹ is —C(O)NR⁷R⁸, —N(H)C(O)R⁹, —C(O)—C₁₋₆alkanediylSR⁹,    —NR¹⁰C(O)N(OH)R⁹, —NR¹⁰C(O)C₁₋₆alkanediylSR⁹, —NR¹⁰C(O)C═N(OH)R⁹ or    another Zn-chelating-group    -   wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently selected from hydrogen,        hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl or        aminoaryl;    -   R⁹ is independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl,        C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpyrazinyl,        pyridinone, pyrrolidinone or methylimidazolyl;    -   R¹⁰ is independently selected from hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl;-   R² is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, hydroxyamino or    naphtalenylsulfonylpyrazinyl;-   -L- is a direct bond or a bivalent radical selected from    C₁₋₆alkanediyl, amino, carbonyl or aminocarbonyl;-   each R³ represents a hydrogen atom and one hydrogen atom can be    replaced by aryl;-   R⁴ is hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl,    aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl    or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;

is a radical selected from

wherein each s is independently 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5;

-   each R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen; halo;    hydroxy; amino; nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl substituted with aryl and C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; cyanoC₁₋₆alkyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxy; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylamino;    aminoC₁₋₆alkyloxy; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl;    di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)amino; (aryl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyloxy; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkylamino;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl; arylsulfonyl;    arylsulfonylamino; aryloxy; aryloxyC₁₋₆alkyl; arylC₂₋₆alkenediyl;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino    (C₁₋₆alkyl)amino C₁₋₆alkyl;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;    aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; amino    sulfonylamino(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; cyano;    thiophenyl; thiophenyl substituted with    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, or    di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; furanyl substituted    with hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; benzofuranyl; imidazolyl; oxazolyl; oxazolyl    substituted with aryl and C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyltriazolyl; tetrazolyl;    pyrrolidinyl; pyrrolyl; piperidinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; morpholinyl;    C₁₋₆alkylmorpholinyl; morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    morpholinylC₁₋₆alkylamino; morpholinylC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl;    piperazinyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    piperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl; naphtalenylsulfonylpiperazinyl;    naphtalenylsulfonylpiperidinyl; naphtalenylsulfonyl:    C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkylamino;    C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl;    C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylsulfonyl; aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    aminosulfonylpiperazinyl; aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinyl;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    piperidinylaminoC₁₋₆alkylamino;    piperidinylaminoC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl;    (C₁₋₆alkylpiperidinyl)(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkylamino;    (C₁₋₆alkylpiperidinyl)(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    (hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;    (hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl; di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₆alkyl; pyrrolidinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; pyrazolyl;    thiopyrazolyl; pyrazolyl substituted with two substituents selected    from C₁₋₆alkyl or trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted    with C₁₋₆alkyloxy, aryloxy or aryl; pyrimidinyl;    tetrahydropyrimidinylpiperazinyl;    tetrahydropyrimidinylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl; quinolinyl; indolyl;    phenyl; phenyl substituted with one, two or three substituents    independently selected from halo, amino, nitro, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyloxy,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₄ alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminocarbonyl, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, amino    sulfonylamino(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, cyano,    piperidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    aminosulfonylpiperazinyl, aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄ alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    C₁₋₄alkyloxypiperidinyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    (hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    (hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)amino, di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    furanyl, furanyl substituted with —CH═CH—CH═CH—,    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinyl,    morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    morpholinylC₁₋₄alkylamino, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    piperazinyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    piperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkylamino,    C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    tetrahydropyrimidinylpiperazinyl,    tetrahydropyrimidinylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    piperidinylaminoC₁₋₄alkylamino,    piperidinylaminoC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    (C₁₋₄alkylpiperidinyl)(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylamino,    (C₁₋₄alkylpiperidinyl)(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylamino,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₄alkyl, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylamino,    aminothiadiazolyl, aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, or    thiophenylC₁₋₄alkylamino;-   the central

-    moiety may also be bridged (i.e. forming a bicyclic moiety) with a    methylene, ethylene or propylene bridge;-   each R⁵ and R⁶ can be placed on the nitrogen in replacement of the    hydrogen;-   aryl in the above is phenyl, or phenyl substituted with one or more    substituents each independently selected from halo, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, cyano or hydroxycarbonyl.

The term “histone deacetylase inhibitor” or “inhibitor of histonedeacetylase” is used to identify a compound, which is capable ofinteracting with a histone deacetylase and inhibiting its activity, moreparticularly its enzymatic activity. Inhibiting histone deacetylaseenzymatic activity means reducing the ability of a histone deacetylaseto remove an acetyl group from a histone. Preferably, such inhibition isspecific, i.e. the histone deacetylase inhibitor reduces the ability ofa histone deacetylase to remove an acetyl group from a histone at aconcentration that is lower than the concentration of the inhibitor thatis required to produce some other, unrelated biological effect.

As used in the foregoing definitions and hereinafter, halo is generic tofluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo; C₁₋₄alkyl defines straight and branchedchain saturated hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atomssuch as, e.g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, 1-methylethyl,2-methylpropyl and the like; C₁₋₆alkyl includes C₁₋₄alkyl and the higherhomologues thereof having 5 to 6 carbon atoms such as, for example,pentyl, 2-methylbutyl, hexyl, 2-methylpentyl and the like;C₁₋₆alkanediyl defines bivalent straight and branched chained saturatedhydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms such as, forexample, methylene, 1,2-ethanediyl, 1,3-propanediyl 1,4-butanediyl,1,5-pentanediyl, 1,6-hexanediyl and the branched isomers thereof suchas, 2-methylpentanediyl, 3-methylpentanediyl, 2,2-dimethylbutanediyl,2,3-dimethylbutanediyl and the like; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl defines C₁₋₆alkylcontaining three identical or different halo substituents for exampletrifluoromethyl; C₂₋₆alkenediyl defines bivalent straight and branchedchain hydrocarbon radicals containing one double bond and having from 2to 6 carbon atoms such as, for example, ethenediyl, 2-propenediyl,3-butenediyl, 2-pentenediyl, 3-pentenediyl, 3-methyl-2-butenediyl, andthe like; aryl defines phenyl, and phenyl substituted with one or moresubstituents each independently selected from halo, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkyloxy or trifluoromethyl, cyano, hydroxycarbonyl; aminoaryldefines aryl substituted with amino; C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl includes cyclichydrocarbon groups having from 3 to 10 carbons, such as cyclopropyl,cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl,cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl and the like.

The term “another Zn-chelating group” refers to a group which is capableof interacting with a Zn-ion, which can be present at an enzymaticbinding site.

Pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts encompass pharmaceuticallyacceptable acid addition salts and pharmaceutically acceptable baseaddition salts. The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts asmentioned hereinabove are meant to comprise the therapeutically activenon-toxic acid addition salt forms which the compounds of formula (I)are able to form. The compounds of formula (I) which have basicproperties can be converted in their pharmaceutically acceptable acidaddition salts by treating said base form with an appropriate acid.Appropriate acids comprise, for example, inorganic acids such ashydrohalic acids, e.g. hydrochloric or hydrobromic acid; sulfuric;nitric; phosphoric and the like acids; or organic acids such as, forexample, acetic, trifluoroacetic, propanoic, hydroxyacetic, lactic,pyruvic, oxalic, malonic, succinic (i.e. butanedioic acid), maleic,fumaric, malic, tartaric, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic,benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclamic, salicylic,p-amino-salicylic, pamoic and the like acids.

The compounds of formula (I) which have acidic properties may beconverted in their pharmaceutically acceptable base addition salts bytreating said acid form with a suitable organic or inorganic base.Appropriate base salt forms comprise, for example, the ammonium salts,the alkali and earth alkaline metal salts, e.g. the lithium, sodium,potassium, magnesium, calcium salts and the like, salts with organicbases, e.g. the benzathine, N-methyl-D-glucamine, hydrabamine salts, andsalts with amino acids such as, for example, arginine, lysine and thelike.

The term “acid or base addition salts” also comprises the hydrates andthe solvent addition forms which the compounds of formula (I) are ableto form. Examples of such forms are e.g. hydrates, alcoholates and thelike.

The term “stereochemically isomeric forms of compounds of formula (I)”,as used herein, defines all possible compounds made up of the same atomsbonded by the same sequence of bonds but having differentthree-dimensional structures which are not interchangeable, which thecompounds of formula (I) may possess. Unless otherwise mentioned orindicated, the chemical designation of a compound encompasses themixture of all possible stereochemically isomeric forms which saidcompound may possess. Said mixture may contain all diastereomers and/orenantiomers of the basic molecular structure of said compound. Allstereochemically isomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I) both inpure form or in admixture with each other are intended to be embracedwithin the scope of the present invention.

The N-oxide forms of the compounds of formula (I) are meant to comprisethose compounds of formula (I) wherein one or several nitrogen atoms areoxidized to the so-called N-oxide, particularly those N-oxides whereinone or more of the piperidine-, piperazine or pyridazinyl-nitrogens areN-oxidized.

Some of the compounds of formula (I) may also exist in their tautomericforms. Such forms although not explicitly indicated in the above formulaare intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Whenever used hereinafter, the term “compounds of formula (I)” is meantto include also the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and allstereoisomeric forms.

As used herein, the terms “histone deacetylase” and “HDAC” are intendedto refer to any one of a family of enzymes that remove acetyl groupsfrom the c-amino groups of lysine residues at the N-terminus of ahistone. Unless otherwise indicated by context, the term “histone” ismeant to refer to any histone protein, including H1, H2A, H2B, H3, H4,and H5, from any species. Human HDAC proteins or gene products, include,but are not limited to, HDAC-1, HDAC-2, HDAC-3, HDAC-4, HDAC-5, HDAC-6,HDAC-7, HDAC-8, HDAC-9 and HDAC-10. The histone deacetylase can also bederived from a protozoal or fungal source.

A first group of interesting compounds consists of those compounds offormula (I) wherein one or more of the following restrictions apply:

-   a) n is 1 or 2;-   b) t is 0, 1 or 2;-   c) each Z is nitrogen;-   d) R¹⁰ is hydrogen;-   e) R² is hydrogen, nitro, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl,    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, hydroxyamino or naphtalenylsulfonylpyrazinyl;-   f) -L- is a direct bond or a bivalent radical selected from    C₁₋₆alkanediyl, carbonyl or aminocarbonyl;-   g) each R³ represents a hydrogen atom;-   h) R⁴ is hydrogen, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl,    hydroxyaminocarbonyl or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;-   i)

-    is a radical selected from (a-1),(a-7), (a-9), (a-10), (a-12),    (a-14), (a-19), (a-20), (a-21), (a-22), (a-23), (a-30), (a-34),    (a-49) or (a-50);-   j) each s is independently 0, 1, 2 or 5;-   k) each R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen; halo;    nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; (aryl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;    arylsulfonyl; aryloxy; arylC₂₋₆alkenediyl; di(C₁₋₆alky)amino;    thiophenyl; thiophenyl substituted with    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl, morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, or    di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; oxazolyl; pyrrolyl;    pyrazolyl; pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy;    quinolinyl; indolyl; phenyl; phenyl substituted with one, two or    three substituents independently selected from halo, amino,    C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, trifluoromethyl,    trifluoromethyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl, or the central

-    moiety may also be bridged (i.e. forming a bicyclic moiety) with a    methylene bridge.

A second group of interesting compounds consists of those compounds offormula (I) wherein one or more of the following restrictions apply:

-   a) n is 1 or 2;-   b) t is 0 or 2;-   c) each Z is nitrogen;-   d) R¹ is —C(O)NH(OH);-   e) R² is hydrogen;-   f) -L- is a direct bond;-   g) each R³ represents a hydrogen atom;-   h) R⁴ is hydrogen;-   i)

-    is a radical selected from (a-1), (a-9), (a-19), (a-20), (a-21),    (a-22), (a-23), (a-49) or (a-50);-   j) each s is independently 0, 1, 2 or 5;-   k) each R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen; halo;    trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy;    arylC₂₋₆alkenediyl; di(C₁₋₆alky)amino; thiophenyl; thiophenyl    substituted with    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl, morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, or    di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; oxazolyl; pyrazolyl;    pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy; quinolinyl;    indolyl; phenyl; phenyl substituted with one, two or three    substituents independently selected from halo, amino, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyloxy,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl, or the central

-    moiety may also be bridged (i.e. forming a bicyclic moiety) with a    methylene bridge.

A third group of interesting compounds consists of those compounds offormula (I) wherein one or more of the following restrictions apply:

-   a) n is 1;-   b) t is 0;-   c) each Z is nitrogen;-   d) R¹ is —C(O)NH(OH);-   e) R² is hydrogen;-   f) -L- is a direct bond;-   g) each R³ represents a hydrogen atom;-   h) R⁴ is hydrogen;-   i)

-    is a radical selected from (a-1) or (a-20);-   j) each s is independently 0 or 1;-   k) each R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen;    thiophenyl; thiophenyl substituted with di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    or C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; phenyl; phenyl    substituted with one substituents independently selected from    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy or    C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl.

A fourth group of interesting compounds consists of those compounds offormula (I) wherein R¹ is —C(O)NH(OH) and -L- is a direct bond.

A fifth group of interesting compounds consists of those compounds offormula (I) wherein R¹ is —C(O)NH(OH), R² is hydrogen and -L- is adirect bond.

A sixth group of interesting compounds consists of those compounds offormula (I) wherein one or more of the following restrictions apply;

-   a) t is 0;-   b) R¹ is —C(O)NR²R⁸, —C(O)—C₁₋₆alkanediylSR⁹, —NR¹⁰C(O)N(OH)R⁹,    —NR¹⁰C(O)C₁₋₆alkanediylSR⁹, —NR¹⁰C(O)C═N(OH)R⁹ or another    Zn-chelating-group wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently selected    from hydrogen, hydroxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, or aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;-   c) R² is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;-   d) -L- is a direct bond or a bivalent radical selected from    C₁₋₆alkanediyl, amino or carbonyl;-   e) R⁴ is hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;-   f)

-    is a radical selected from (a-1), (a-3), (a-4), (a-5), (a-6),    (a-7), (a-8), (a-9), (a-10), (a-11), (a-12), (a-13), (a-14), (a-15),    (a-16), (a-17), (a-18), (a-19), (a-20), (a-21), (a-22), (a-23),    (a-24), (a-25), (a-26), (a-28), (a-29), (a-30), (a-31), (a-32),    (a-33), (a-34), (a-35), (a-36), (a-37), (a-38), (a-39), (a-40),    (a-41), (a-42), (a-44), (a-45), (a-46), (a-47), (a-48) or (a-51);-   g) each s is independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;-   h) R⁵ is hydrogen; halo; hydroxy; amino; nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl;    trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; aryloxy;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; cyano; thiophenyl; furanyl; furanyl substituted    with hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; benzofuranyl; imidazolyl; oxazolyl; oxazolyl    substituted with aryl and C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyltriazolyl; tetrazolyl;    pyrrolidinyl; pyrrolyl; morpholinyl; C₁₋₆alkylmorpholinyl;    piperazinyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinyl; pyrazoly; pyrazolyl substituted with one or    two substituents selected from C₁₋₆alkyl or trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl;    pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy, aryloxy or aryl;    pyrimidinyl; quinolinyl; indole; phenyl; or phenyl substituted with    one or two substituents independently selected from halo, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy or trifluoromethyl;-   i) R⁶ is hydrogen; halo; hydroxy; amino; nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl;    trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; aryloxy;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; cyano; pyridinyl; phenyl; or phenyl substituted    with one or two substituents independently selected from halo,    C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy or trifluoromethyl-   j) the central

-    moiety may also be bridged (i.e. forming a bicyclic moiety) with an    ethylene bridge.

A seventh group of interesting compounds consists of those compounds offormula (I) wherein one or more of the following restrictions apply:

-   a) R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl or aminoaryl;-   b) R² is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyamino or    naphtalenylsulfonylpyrazinyl;-   c) R⁴ is hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,    arylC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    aminocarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl    or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;-   d)

-    is a radical selected from (a-1), (a-2), (a-3), (a-4), (a-5),    (a-6), (a-7), (a-8), (a-9), (a-10), (a-11), (a-12), (a-13), (a-14),    (a-15), (a-16), (a-17), (a-18), (a-19), (a-20), (a-21), (a-22),    (a-23), (a-24), (a-25), (a-26), (a-27), (a-28), (a-29), (a-30),    (a-31), (a-32), (a-33), (a-34), (a-35), (a-36), (a-37), (a-38),    (a-39), (a-40), (a-41), (a-42) (a-43) or (a-44);-   e) each R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen; halo;    hydroxy; amino; nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; cyanoC₁₋₆alkyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxy; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylamino;    aminoC₁₋₆alkyloxy; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl;    di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)amino; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkylamino; arylsulfonyl; arylsulfonylamino;    aryloxy; arylC₂₋₆alkenediyl; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; cyano; thiophenyl;    thiophenyl substituted with    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl or    di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; imidazolyl;    C₁₋₆alkyltriazolyl; tetrazolyl; piperidinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    morpholinyl; C₁₋₆alkylmorpholinyl; morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylsulfonyl;    aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aminosulfonylpiperazinyl;    aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinyl;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    (hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;    (hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; pyrazolyl; thiopyrazolyl; pyrazolyl    substituted with two substituents selected from C₁₋₆alkyl or    trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy    or aryl; pyrimidinyl; quinolinyl; phenyl; phenyl substituted with    one, two or three substituents independently selected from halo,    amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, trifluoromethyl,    trifluoromethyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, piperidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, aminosulfonylpiperazinyl,    aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    C₁₋₄alkyloxypiperidinyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    (hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    (hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylamino,    di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylamino,    aminothiadiazolyl, aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, or    thiophenylC₁₋₄alkylamino

A group of preferred compounds consists of those compounds of formula(I) wherein

-   R² and R⁸ are each independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl or aminoaryl;-   R² is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyamino or    naphtalenylsulfonylpyrazinyl;-   R⁴ is hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,    arylC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    aminocarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl    or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;

-    is a radical selected from (a-1), (a-2), (a-3), (a-4), (a-5),    (a-6), (a-7), (a-8), (a-9), (a-10), (a-11), (a-12), (a-13), (a-14),    (a-15), (a-16), (a-17), (a-18), (a-19), (a-20), (a-21), (a-22),    (a-23), (a-24), (a-25), (a-26), (a-27), (a-28), (a-29), (a-30),    (a-31), (a-32), (a-33), (a-34), (a-35), (a-36), (a-37), (a-38),    (a-39), (a-40), (a-41), (a-42) (a-43) or (a-44);-   each R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen; halo;    hydroxy; amino; nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; cyanoC₁₋₆alkyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxy; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylamino;    aminoC₁₋₆alkyloxy; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminocarbonyl;    di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)amino; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkylamino; arylsulfonyl; arylsulfonylamino;    aryloxy; arylC₂₋₆alkenediyl; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; cyano; thiophenyl;    thiophenyl substituted with    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl or    di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; imidazolyl;    C₁₋₆alkyltriazolyl; tetrazolyl; piperidinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    morpholinyl; C₁₋₆alkylmorpholinyl; morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;    C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylsulfonyl;    aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; aminosulfonylpiperazinyl;    aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinyl;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl;    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;    (hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;    (hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; pyrazolyl; thiopyrazolyl; pyrazolyl    substituted with two substituents selected from C₁₋₆alkyl or    trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy    or aryl; pyrimidinyl; quinolinyl; phenyl; phenyl substituted with    one, two or three substituents independently selected from halo,    amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, trifluoromethyl,    trifluoromethyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, piperidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, aminosulfonylpiperazinyl,    aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    C₁₋₄alkyloxypiperidinyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    (hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    (hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylamino,    di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylamino,    aminothiadiazolyl, aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, or    thiophenylC₁₋₄alkylamino

Another group of preferred compounds consists of those compounds offormula (I) wherein

-   t is 0;-   R¹ is —C(O)NR⁷R⁸, —C(O)—C₁₋₆alkanediylSR⁹, —NR¹⁰C(O)N(OH)R⁹,    —NR¹⁰C(O)C₁₋₆alkanediylSR⁹, —NR¹⁰C(O)C═N(OH)R⁹ or another    Zn-chelating-group wherein R² and R⁸ are each independently selected    from hydrogen, hydroxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, or aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;-   R² is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;-   -L- is a direct bond or a bivalent radical selected from    C₁₋₆alkanediyl, amino or carbonyl;-   R⁴ is hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;

-    is a radical selected from (a-1), (a-3), (a-4), (a-5), (a-6),    (a-7), (a-8), (a-9), (a-10), (a-11), (a-12), (a-13), (a-14), (a-15),    (a-16), (a-17), (a-18), (a-19), (a-20), (a-21), (a-22), (a-23),    (a-24), (a-25), (a-26), (a-28), (a-29), (a-30), (a-31), (a-32),    (a-33), (a-34), (a-35), (a-36), (a-37), (a-38), (a-39), (a-40),    (a-41), (a-42), (a-44), (a-45), (a-46), (a-47), (a-48) or (a-51);-   each s is independently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;-   R⁵ is hydrogen; halo; hydroxy; amino; nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl;    trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; aryloxy;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; cyano; thiophenyl; furanyl; furanyl substituted    with hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; benzofuranyl; imidazolyl; oxazolyl; oxazolyl    substituted with aryl and C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyltriazolyl; tetrazolyl;    pyrrolidinyl; pyrrolyl; morpholinyl; C₁₋₆alkylmorpholinyl;    piperazinyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinyl; pyrazoly; pyrazolyl substituted with one or    two substituents selected from C₁₋₆alkyl or trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl;    pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy, aryloxy or aryl;    pyrimidinyl; quinolinyl; indole; phenyl; or phenyl substituted with    one or two substituents independently selected from halo, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy or trifluoromethyl;-   R⁶ is hydrogen; halo; hydroxy; amino; nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl;    trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl;    C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; aryloxy;    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; cyano; pyridinyl; phenyl; or phenyl substituted    with one or two substituents independently selected from halo,    C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy or trifluoromethyl; or-   the central

-    moiety may also be bridged (i.e. forming a bicyclic moiety) with an    ethylene bridge.-   An even further group of preferred compounds consists of those    compounds of formula (I) wherein n is 1 or 2; t is 0, 1 or 2; each Z    is nitrogen; R¹⁰ is hydrogen; R² is hydrogen, nitro, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,    trifluoromethyl, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, hydroxyamino or    naphtalenylsulfonylpyrazinyl; -L- is a direct bond or a bivalent    radical selected from C₁₋₆alkanediyl, carbonyl or aminocarbonyl;    each R³ represents a hydrogen atom; R⁴ is hydrogen,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl or    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;

-    is a radical selected from (a-1),(a-7), (a-9), (a-10), (a-12),    (a-14), (a-19), (a-20), (a-21), (a-22), (a-23), (a-30), (a-34),    (a-49) or (a-50); each s is independently 0, 1, 2 or 5; each R⁵ and    R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen; halo; nitro;    trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy;    C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; (aryl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; arylsulfonyl; aryloxy;    arylC₂₋₆alkenediyl; di(C₁₋₆alky)amino; thiophenyl; thiophenyl    substituted with    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl, morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, or    di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; oxazolyl; pyrrolyl;    pyrazolyl; pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy;    quinolinyl; indolyl; phenyl; phenyl substituted with one, two or    three substituents independently selected from halo, amino,    C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, trifluoromethyl,    trifluoromethyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl, or the central

-    moiety may also be bridged (i.e. forming a bicyclic moiety) with a    methylene bridge.-   A group of more preferred compounds consists of those compounds of    formula (I) wherein n is 1 or 2; t is 0 or 2; each Z is nitrogen; R¹    is —C(O)NH(OH); R² is hydrogen; -L- is a direct bond; each R³    represents a hydrogen atom; R⁴ is hydrogen;

-    is a radical selected from (a-1), (a-9), (a-19), (a-20), (a-21),    (a-22), (a-23), (a-49) or (a-50); each s is independently 0, 1, 2 or    5; each R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen; halo;    trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy;    arylC₂₋₆alkenediyl; di(C₁₋₆alky)amino; thiophenyl; thiophenyl    substituted with    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,    di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl, morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, or    di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; oxazolyl; pyrazolyl;    pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy; quinolinyl;    indolyl; phenyl; phenyl substituted with one, two or three    substituents independently selected from halo, amino, C₁₋₆alkyl,    C₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyloxy,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyl,    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,    morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl, or the central

-    moiety may also be bridged (i.e. forming a bicyclic moiety) with a    methylene bridge.-   A group of even more preferred compounds consists of those compounds    of formula (I) wherein n is 1; t is 0; each Z is nitrogen; R¹ is    —C(O)NH(OH); R² is hydrogen; -L- is a direct bond; each R³    represents a hydrogen atom; R⁴ is hydrogen;

-    is a radical selected from (a-1) or (a-20); each s is independently    0 or 1; each R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen;    thiophenyl; thiophenyl substituted with di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino    C₁₋₆alkyl, or C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; phenyl; phenyl    substituted with one substituents independently selected from    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,    pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy or    C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl.-   Most preferred compounds are compounds No. 6, No. 100, No. 104, No.    128, No. 144, No. 124, No. 154, No. 125, No. 157, No. 156, No. 159,    No. 163, No. 164, No. 168, No. 169, No. 127, No. 171, No. 170, No.    172 and No. 173.

-   Most preferred compound is compound No 6.

The compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable saltsand N-oxides and stereochemically isomeric forms thereof may be preparedin conventional manner. A number of general synthesis routes areencompassed as examples:

1a) Hydroxamic acids of formula (I) wherein R¹ is —C(O)NH(OH), saidcompounds being referred to as compounds of formula (I-a), may beprepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (II) with an appropriateacid, such as for example, trifluoro acetic acid. Said reaction isperformed in an appropriate solvent, such as, for example, methanol.

1b) intermediates of formula (II) may be prepared by reacting anintermediate of formula (III) with an intermediate of formula (IV) inthe presence of appropriate reagents such asN′-(ethylcarbonimidoyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine,monohydrochloride (EDC) and 1-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole (HOBT). Thereaction may be performed in a suitable solvent such as a mixture of DCMand THF.

1c) intermediates of formula (III) may be prepared by reacting anintermediate of formula (V) with an appropriate base such as NaOH in thepresence of a suitable solvent such as ethanol.

2) Hydroxamic acids of formula (I) wherein R¹ is —C(O)NH(OH), saidcompounds being referred to as compounds of formula (I-a), may also beprepared by catalytic hydrogenation of an intermediate of formula (VI)with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst, such as, for example,palladium on carbon (10%). Said reaction is performed in an appropriatesolvent, such as, for example, dimethylformamide (DMF) or THF.Alternatively these compounds may also be prepared by reacting anintermediate of formula (VI) with cyclohexadiene in the presence of acatalyst, such as, for example palladium on carbon (10%). Said reactionis performed in an appropriate solvent, such as, for example,1-propanol.

3) Compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ is

said compounds being referred to as compounds of formula (I-b), may beprepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (VII) with anintermediate of formula (VIII) wherein R′ is

in the presence ofN′-(ethylcarbonimidoyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine,monohydrochloride (EDC) and hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBT). Said reactionis performed in an appropriate solvent, such as, for example, a mixtureof dichloromethane (DCM) and THF.

The compounds of formula (I) can also conveniently be prepared usingsolid phase synthesis techniques. In general, solid phase synthesisinvolves reacting an intermediate in a synthesis with a polymer support.This polymer-supported intermediate can then be carried on through anumber of synthesis steps. After each step, filtering the resin andwashing it numerous times with various solvents remove impurities. Ateach step the resin can be split up to react with various intermediatesin the next step thus allowing for the synthesis of a large number ofcompounds. After the last step in the procedure the resin is treatedwith a reagent or process to cleave the resin from the sample. Moredetailed explanation of the techniques used in solid phase chemistry isdescribed in for example “The Combinatorial Index” (B. Bunin, AcademicPress) and Novabiochem's 1999 Catalogue & Peptide Synthesis Handbook(Novabiochem A G, Switzerland) both incorporated herein by reference.

The compounds of formula (I) and some of the intermediates may have atleast one stereogenic centre in their structure. This stereogenic centremay be present in an R or an S configuration.

The compounds of formula (I) as prepared in the hereinabove describedprocesses are generally racemic mixtures of enantiomers, which can beseparated from one another following art-known resolution procedures.The racemic compounds of formula (I) may be converted into thecorresponding diastereomeric salt forms by reaction with a suitablechiral acid. Said diastereomeric salt forms are subsequently separated,for example, by selective or fractional crystallization and theenantiomers are liberated there from by alkali. An alternative manner ofseparating the enantiomeric forms of the compounds of formula (I)involves liquid chromatography using a chiral stationary phase. Saidpure stereochemically isomeric forms may also be derived from thecorresponding pure stereochemically isomeric forms of the appropriatestarting materials, provided that the reaction occursstereospecifically. Preferably if a specific stereoisomer is desired,said compound would be synthesized by stereospecific methods ofpreparation. These methods will advantageously employ enantiomericallypure starting materials.

The compounds of formula (I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acidaddition salts and stereoisomeric forms thereof have valuablepharmacological properties in that they have a histone deacetylase(HDAC) inhibitory effect.

This invention provides a method for inhibiting the abnormal growth ofcells, including transformed cells, by administering an effective amountof a compound of the invention. Abnormal growth of cells refers to cellgrowth independent of normal regulatory mechanisms (e.g. loss of contactinhibition). This includes the inhibition of tumour growth both directlyby causing growth arrest, terminal differentiation and/or apoptosis ofcancer cells, and indirectly, by inhibiting neovascularization oftumours.

This invention also provides a method for inhibiting tumour growth byadministering an effective amount of a compound of the presentinvention, to a subject, e.g. a mammal (and more particularly a human)in need of such treatment. In particular, this invention provides amethod for inhibiting the growth of tumours by the administration of aneffective amount of the compounds of the present invention. Examples oftumours which may be inhibited, but are not limited to, lung cancer(e.g. adenocarcinoma and including non-small cell lung cancer),pancreatic cancers (e.g. pancreatic carcinoma such as, for exampleexocrine pancreatic carcinoma), colon cancers (e.g. colorectalcarcinomas, such as, for example, colon adenocarcinoma and colonadenoma), prostate cancer including the advanced disease, hematopoietictumours of lymphoid lineage (e.g. acute lymphocytic leukemia, B-celllymphoma, Burkitt's lymphoma), myeloid leukemias (for example, acutemyelogenous leukemia (AML)), thyroid follicular cancer, myelodysplasticsyndrome (MDS), tumours of mesenchymal origin (e.g. fibrosarcomas andrhabdomyosarcomas), melanomas, teratocarcinomas, neuroblastomas,gliomas, benign tumour of the skin (e.g. keratoacanthomas), breastcarcinoma (e.g. advanced breast cancer), kidney carcinoma, ovarycarcinoma, bladder carcinoma and epidermal carcinoma.

The compound according to the invention may be used for othertherapeutic purposes, for example:

-   -   a) the sensitisation of tumours to radiotherapy by administering        the compound according to the invention before, during or after        irradiation of the tumour for treating cancer;    -   b) treating arthropathies and osteopathological conditions such        as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, juvenile arthritis,        gout, polyarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis        and systemic lupus erythematosus;    -   c) inhibiting smooth muscle cell proliferation including        vascular proliferative disorders, atherosclerosis and        restenosis;    -   d) treating inflammatory conditions and dermal conditions such        as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, allergic rhinitis, graft        vs. host disease, conjunctivitis, asthma, ARDS, Behcets disease,        transplant rejection, uticaria, allergic dermatitis, alopecia        areata, scleroderma, exanthema, eczema, dermatomyositis, acne,        diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosis, Kawasaki's disease,        multiple sclerosis, emphysema, cystic fibrosis and chronic        bronchitis;    -   e) treating endometriosis, uterine fibroids, dysfunctional        uterine bleeding and endometrial hyperplasia;    -   f) treating ocular vascularisation including vasculopathy        affecting retinal and choroidal vessels;    -   g) treating a cardiac dysfunction;    -   h) inhibiting immunosuppressive conditions such as the treatment        of HIV infections;    -   i) treating renal dysfunction;    -   j) suppressing endocrine disorders;    -   k) inhibiting dysfunction of gluconeogenesis;    -   l) treating a neuropathology for example Parkinson's disease or        a neuropathology that results in a cognitive disorder, for        example, Alzheimer's disease or polyglutamine related neuronal        diseases;    -   m) inhibiting a neuromuscular pathology, for example,        amylotrophic lateral sclerosis;    -   n) treating spinal muscular atrophy;    -   o) treating other pathologic conditions amenable to treatment by        potentiating expression of a gene;    -   p) enhancing gene therapy.

Hence, the present invention discloses the compounds of formula (I) foruse as a medicine as well as the use of these compounds of formula (I)for the manufacture of a medicament for treating one or more of theabove mentioned conditions.

The compounds of formula (I), the pharmaceutically acceptable acidaddition salts and stereoisomeric forms thereof can have valuablediagnostic properties in that they can be used for detecting oridentifying a HDAC in a biological sample comprising detecting ormeasuring the formation of a complex between a labelled compound and aHDAC.

The detecting or identifying methods can use compounds that are labelledwith labelling agents such as radioisotopes, enzymes, fluorescentsubstances, luminous substances, etc. Examples of the radioisotopesinclude ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ³H and ¹⁴C. Enzymes are usually made detectable byconjugation of an appropriate substrate which, in turn catalyses adetectable reaction. Examples thereof include, for example,beta-galactosidase, beta-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, peroxidaseand malate dehydrogenase, preferably horseradish peroxidase. Theluminous substances include, for example, luminol, luminol derivatives,luciferin, aequorin and luciferase.

Biological samples can be defined as body tissue or body fluids.Examples of body fluids are cerebrospinal fluid, blood, plasma, serum,urine, sputum, saliva and the like.

In view of their useful pharmacological properties, the subjectcompounds may be formulated into various pharmaceutical forms foradministration purposes.

To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, aneffective amount of a particular compound, in base or acid addition saltform, as the active ingredient is combined in intimate admixture with apharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which carrier may take a widevariety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired foradministration. These pharmaceutical compositions are desirably inunitary dosage form suitable, preferably, for administration orally,rectally, percutaneously, or by parenteral injection. For example, inpreparing the compositions in oral dosage form, any of the usualpharmaceutical media may be employed, such as, for example, water,glycols, oils, alcohols and the like in the case of oral liquidpreparations such as suspensions, syrups, elixirs and solutions; orsolid carriers such as starches, sugars, kaolin, lubricants, binders,disintegrating agents and the like in the case of powders, pills,capsules and tablets.

Because of their ease in administration, tablets and capsules representthe most advantageous oral dosage unit form, in which case solidpharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. For parenteralcompositions, the carrier will usually comprise sterile water, at leastin large part, though other ingredients, to aid solubility for example,may be included. Injectable solutions, for example, may be prepared inwhich the carrier comprises saline solution, glucose solution or amixture of saline and glucose solution. Injectable suspensions may alsobe prepared in which case appropriate liquid carriers, suspending agentsand the like may be employed. In the compositions suitable forpercutaneous administration, the carrier optionally comprises apenetration enhancing agent and/or a suitable wetting agent, optionallycombined with suitable additives of any nature in minor proportions,which additives do not cause a significant deleterious effect to theskin. Said additives may facilitate the administration to the skinand/or may be helpful for preparing the desired compositions. Thesecompositions may be administered in various ways, e.g., as a transdermalpatch, as a spot-on or as an ointment.

It is especially advantageous to formulate the aforementionedpharmaceutical compositions in dosage unit form for ease ofadministration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used in thespecification and claims herein refers to physically discrete unitssuitable as unitary dosages, each unit containing a predeterminedquantity of active ingredient, calculated to produce the desiredtherapeutic effect, in association with the required pharmaceuticalcarrier. Examples of such dosage unit forms are tablets (includingscored or coated tablets), capsules, pills, powder packets, wafers,injectable solutions or suspensions, teaspoonfuls, tablespoonfuls andthe like, and segregated multiples thereof.

Those skilled in the art could easily determine the effective amountfrom the test results presented hereinafter. In general it iscontemplated that a therapeutically effective amount would be from 0.005mg/kg to 100 mg/kg body weight, and in particular from 0.005 mg/kg to 10mg/kg body weight. It may be appropriate to administer the required doseas two, three, four or more sub-doses at appropriate intervalsthroughout the day. Said sub-doses may be formulated as unit dosageforms, for example, containing 0.5 to 500 mg, and in particular 10 mg to500 mg of active ingredient per unit dosage form.

As another aspect of the present invention a combination of aHDAC-inhibitor with another anticancer agent is envisaged, especiallyfor use as a medicine, more specifically in the treatment of cancer orrelated diseases.

For the treatment of the above conditions, the compounds of theinvention may be advantageously employed in combination with one or moreother medicinal agents, more particularly, with other anti-canceragents. Examples of anti-cancer agents are:

-   -   platinum coordination compounds for example cisplatin,        carboplatin or oxalyplatin;    -   taxane compounds for example paclitaxel or docetaxel;    -   topoisomerase I inhibitors such as camptothecin compounds for        example irinotecan or topotecan;    -   topoisomerase II inhibitors such as anti-tumour podophyllotoxin        derivatives for example etoposide or teniposide;    -   anti-tumour vinca alkaloids for example vinblastine, vincristine        or vinorelbine;    -   anti-tumour nucleoside derivatives for example 5-fluorouracil,        gemcitabine or capecitabine;    -   alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustard or nitrosourea for        example cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, carmustine or lomustine;    -   anti-tumour anthracycline derivatives for example daunorubicin,        doxorubicin, idarubicin or mitoxantrone;    -   HER2 antibodies for example trastuzumab;    -   estrogen receptor antagonists or selective estrogen receptor        modulators for example tamoxifen, toremifene, droloxifene,        faslodex or raloxifene;    -   aromatase inhibitors such as exemestane, anastrozole, letrazole        and vorozole;    -   differentiating agents such as retinoids, vitamin D and retinoic        acid metabolism blocking agents (RAMBA) for example accutane;    -   DNA methyl transferase inhibitors for example azacytidine;    -   kinase inhibitors for example flavoperidol, imatinib mesylate or        gefitinib;    -   farnesyltransferase inhibitors; or    -   other HDAC inhibitors.

The term “platinum coordination compound” is used herein to denote anytumor cell growth inhibiting platinum coordination compound whichprovides platinum in the form of an ion.

The term “taxane compounds” indicates a class of compounds having thetaxane ring system and related to or derived from extracts from certainspecies of yew (Taxus) trees.

The term “topisomerase inhibitors” is used to indicate enzymes that arecapable of altering DNA topology in eukaryotic cells. They are criticalfor important cellular functions and cell proliferation. There are twoclasses of topoisomerases in eukaryotic cells, namely type I and typeII. Topoisomerase I is a monomeric enzyme of approximately 100,000molecular weight. The enzyme binds to DNA and introduces a transientsingle-strand break, unwinds the double helix (or allows it to unwind)and subsequently reseals the break before dissociating from the DNAstrand. Topisomerase II has a similar mechanism of action which involvesthe induction of DNA strand breaks or the formation of free radicals.

The term “camptothecin compounds” is used to indicate compounds that arerelated to or derived from the parent camptothecin compound which is awater-insoluble alkaloid derived from the Chinese tree Camptothecinacuminata and the Indian tree Nothapodytes foetida.

The term “podophyllotoxin compounds” is used to indicate compounds thatare related to or derived from the parent podophyllotoxin, which isextracted from the mandrake plant.

The term “anti-tumor vinca alkaloids” is used to indicate compounds thatare related to or derived from extracts of the periwinkle plant (Vincarosea).

The term “alkylating agents” encompass a diverse group of chemicals thathave the common feature that they have the capacity to contribute, underphysiological conditions, alkyl groups to biologically vitalmacromolecules such as DNA. With most of the more important agents suchas the nitrogen mustards and the nitrosoureas, the active alkylatingmoieties are generated in vivo after complex degradative reactions, someof which are enzymatic. The most important pharmacological actions ofthe alkylating agents are those that disturb the fundamental mechanismsconcerned with cell proliferation in particular DNA synthesis and celldivision. The capacity of alkylating agents to interfere with DNAfunction and integrity in rapidly proliferating tissues provides thebasis for their therapeutic applications and for many of their toxicproperties.

The term “anti-tumour anthracycline derivatives” comprise antibioticsobtained from the fungus Strep. peuticus var. caesius and theirderivatives, characterised by having a tetracycline ring structure withan unusual sugar, daunosamine, attached by a glycosidic linkage.

Amplification of the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 protein(HER 2) in primary breast carcinomas has been shown to correlate with apoor clinical prognosis for certain patients. Trastuzumab is a highlypurified recombinant DNA-derived humanized monoclonal IgG1 kappaantibody that binds with high affiniity and specificity to theextracellular domain of the HER2 receptor.

Many breast cancers have estrogen receptors and growth of these tumorscan be stimulated by estrogen. The terms “estrogen receptor antagonists”and “selective estrogen receptor modulators” are used to indicatecompetitive inhibitors of estradiol binding to the estrogen receptor(ER). Selective estrogen receptor modulators, when bound to the ER,induces a change in the three-dimensional shape of the receptor,inhibiting its binding to the estrogen responsive element (ERE) on DNA.

In postmenopausal women, the principal source of circulating estrogen isfrom conversion of adrenal and ovarian androgens (androstenedione andtestosterone) to estrogens (estrone and estradiol) by the aromataseenzyme in peripheral tissues. Estrogen deprivation through aromataseinhibition or inactivation is an effective and selective treatment forsome postmenopausal patients with hormone-dependent breast cancer.

The term “antiestrogen agent” is used herein to include not onlyestrogen receptor antagonists and selective estrogen receptor modulatorsbut also aromatase inhibitors as discussed above.

The term “differentiating agents” encompass compounds that can, invarious ways, inhibit cell proliferation and induce differentiation.Vitamin D and retinoids are known to play a major role in regulatinggrowth and differentiation of a wide variety of normal and malignantcell types. Retinoic acid metabolism blocking agents (RAMBA's) increasethe levels of endogenous retinoic acids by inhibiting the cytochromeP450-mediated catabolism of retinoic acids.

DNA methylation changes are among the most common abnormalities in humanneoplasia. Hypermethylation within the promotors of selected genes isusually associated with inactivation of the involved genes. The term“DNA methyl transferase inhibitors” is used to indicate compounds thatact through pharmacological inhibition of DNA methyl transferase andreactivation of tumour suppressor gene expression.

The term “kinase inhibitors” comprises potent inhibitors of kinases thatare involved in cell cycle progression and programmed cell death(apoptosis)

The term “farnesyltransferase inhibitors” is used to indicate compoundsthat were designed to prevent farnesylation of Ras and otherintracellular proteins. They have been shown to have effect on malignantcell proliferation and survival.

The term “other HDAC inhibitors” comprises but is not limited to:

-   -   short-chain fatty acids for example butyrate, 4-phenylbutyrate        or valproic acid;    -   hydroxamic acids for example suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid        (SAHA), biaryl hydroxamate A-161906, bicyclic        aryl-N-hydroxycarboxamides, pyroxamide, CG-1521, PXD-101,        sulfonamide hydroxamic acid, LAQ-824, trichostatin A (TSA),        oxamflatin, scriptaid, m-carboxy cinnamic acid bishydroxamic        acid, or trapoxin-hydroxamic acid analogue;    -   cyclic tetrapeptides for example trapoxin, apidicin or        depsipeptide;    -   benzamides for example MS-275 or CI-994, or    -   depudecin.

For the treatment of cancer the compounds according to the presentinvention may be administered to a patient as described above, inconjunction with irradiation. Irradiation means ionising radiation andin particular gamma radiation, especially that emitted by linearaccelerators or by radionuclides that are in common use today. Theirradiation of the tumour by radionuclides can be external or internal.

The present invention also relates to a combination according to theinvention of an anti-cancer agent and a HDAC inhibitor according to theinvention.

The present invention also relates to a combination according to theinvention for use in medical therapy for example for inhibiting thegrowth of tumour cells.

The present invention also relates to a combinations according to theinvention for inhibiting the growth of tumour cells.

The present invention also relates to a method of inhibiting the growthof tumour cells in a human subject which comprises administering to thesubject an effective amount of a combination according to the invention.

This invention further provides a method for inhibiting the abnormalgrowth of cells, including transformed cells, by administering aneffective amount of a combination according to the invention.

The other medicinal agent and HDAC inhibitor may be administeredsimultaneously (e.g. in separate or unitary compositions) orsequentially in either order. In the latter case, the two compounds willbe administered within a period and in an amount and manner that issufficient to ensure that an advantageous or synergistic effect isachieved. It will be appreciated that the preferred method and order ofadministration and the respective dosage amounts and regimes for eachcomponent of the combination will depend on the particular othermedicinal agent and HDAC inhibitor being administered, their route ofadministration, the particular tumour being treated and the particularhost being treated. The optimum method and order of administration andthe dosage amounts and regime can be readily determined by those skilledin the art using conventional methods and in view of the information setout herein.

The platinum coordination compound is advantageously administered in adosage of 1 to 500 mg per square meter (mg/m²) of body surface area, forexample 50 to 400 mg/m², particularly for cisplatin in a dosage of about75 mg/m² and for carboplatin in about 300 mg/m² per course of treatment.

The taxane compound is advantageously administered in a dosage of 50 to400 mg per square meter (mg/m²) of body surface area, for example 75 to250 mg/m², particularly for paclitaxel in a dosage of about 175 to 250mg/m² and for docetaxel in about 75 to 150 mg/m² per course oftreatment.

The camptothecin compound is advantageously administered in a dosage of0.1 to 400 mg per square meter (mg/m²) of body surface area, for example1 to 300 mg/m², particularly for irinotecan in a dosage of about 100 to350 mg/m² and for topotecan in about 1 to 2 mg/m² per course oftreatment.

The anti-tumor podophyllotoxin derivative is advantageously administeredin a dosage of 30 to 300 mg per square meter (mg/m²) of body surfacearea, for example 50 to 250 mg/m², particularly for etoposide in adosage of about 35 to 100 mg/m² and for teniposide in about 50 to 250mg/m² per course of treatment.

The anti-tumor vinca alkaloid is advantageously administered in a dosageof 2 to 30 mg per square meter (mg/m²) of body surface area,particularly for vinblastine in a dosage of about 3 to 12 mg/m², forvincristine in a dosage of about 1 to 2 mg/m², and for vinorelbine indosage of about 10 to 30 mg/m² per course of treatment.

The anti-tumor nucleoside derivative is advantageously administered in adosage of 200 to 2500 mg per square meter (mg/m²) of body surface area,for example 700 to1500 mg/m², particularly for 5-FU in a dosage of 200to 500 mg/m², for gemcitabine in a dosage of about 800 to 1200 mg/m² andfor capecitabine in about 1000 to 2500 mg/m² per course of treatment.

The alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustard or nitrosourea isadvantageously administered in a dosage of 100 to 500 mg per squaremeter (mg/m²) of body surface area, for example 120 to 200 mg/m²,particularly for cyclophosphamide in a dosage of about 100 to 500 mg/m²,for chlorambucil in a dosage of about 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg, for carmustinein a dosage of about 150 to 200 mg/m², and for lomustine in a dosage ofabout 100 to 150 mg/m² per course of treatment.

The anti-tumor anthracycline derivative is advantageously administeredin a dosage of 10 to 75 mg per square meter (mg/m²) of body surfacearea, for example 15 to 60 mg/m², particularly for doxorubicin in adosage of about 40 to 75 mg/m², for daunorubicin in a dosage of about 25to 45mg/m², and for idarubicin in a dosage of about 10 to 15 mg/m² percourse of treatment.

Trastuzumab is advantageously administered in a dosage of 1 to 5 mg persquare meter (mg/m²) of body surface area, particularly 2 to 4 mg/m² percourse of treatment.

The antiestrogen agent is advantageously administered in a dosage ofabout 1 to 100 mg daily depending on the particular agent and thecondition being treated. Tamoxifen is advantageously administered orallyin a dosage of 5 to 50 mg, preferably 10 to 20 mg twice a day,continuing the therapy for sufficient time to achieve and maintain atherapeutic effect. Toremifene is advantageously administered orally ina dosage of about 60 mg once a day, continuing the therapy forsufficient time to achieve and maintain a therapeutic effect.Anastrozole is advantageously administered orally in a dosage of about 1mg once a day. Droloxifene is advantageously administered orally in adosage of about 20-100 mg once a day. Raloxifene is advantageouslyadministered orally in a dosage of about 60 mg once a day. Exemestane isadvantageously administered orally in a dosage of about 25 mg once aday.

These dosages may be administered for example once, twice or more percourse of treatment, which may be repeated for example every 7,14, 21 or28 days.

In view of their useful pharmacological properties, the components ofthe combinations according to the invention, i.e. the other medicinalagent and the HDAC inhibitor may be formulated into variouspharmaceutical forms for administration purposes. The components may beformulated separately in individual pharmaceutical compositions or in aunitary pharmaceutical composition containing both components.

The present invention therefore also relates to a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising the other medicinal agent and the HDAC inhibitortogether with one or more pharmaceutical carriers.

The present invention also relates to a combination according to theinvention in the form of a pharmaceutical composition comprising ananti-cancer agent and a HDAC inhibitor according to the inventiontogether with one or more pharmaceutical carriers.

The present invention further relates to the use of a combinationaccording to the invention in the manufacture of a pharmaceuticalcomposition for inhibiting the growth of tumour cells.

The present invention further relates to a product containing as firstactive ingredient a HDAC inhibitor according to the invention and assecond active ingredient an anticancer agent, as a combined preparationfor simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment ofpatients suffering from cancer.

EXPERIMENTAL PART

The following examples are provided for purposes of illustration.

Hereinafter “AMMC” means3-[2-(N,N-diethyl-N-methylamino)ethyl]-7-methoxy-4-methylcoumarin, “BFC”means benzyloxy-trifluoromethyl coumarin, “BINAP” means2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphtyl, “Boc” means tertiarybutoxycarbonyl, “BuLi” means n-butyl lithium, “BTEAC” meansbenzyltriethylammonium chloride, “BSA” means bovine serum albumine,“DCM” means dichloromethane, “DIC” means diisopropylcarbodiimide, “DIEA”means diisopropylethylamine, “DIPE” means diisopropylether, “DMAP” meansdimethylaminopyridine, “DMF” means dimethylformamide, “DMSO” meansdimethylsulfoxide, ‘EDC’ meansN′-(ethylcarbonimidoyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine,monohydrochloride, “EDTA” means etylenediaminetetraacetic acid, “EtOAc”means ethyl acetate, “Fmoc” means fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl, “Hepes”means 4-(-2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine-ethanesulfonic acid, “HOAc” meansacetic acid, “MeOH” means methanol, “MTT” means3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide, “NMP”means N-methylpyrrolidinone, “PBS” means phosphate buffered saline,“PyBop” means benzotriazole-1-yl-oxy-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphoniumhexafluorophosphate, “PyBrOP” means bromo-tris-pyrrolidino-phosphoniumhexafluorophosphate, “TEA” means triethylamine, “TFA” meanstrifluoroacetic acid, “TIS” means triisopropylsilane, “THF” meanstetrahydrofuran, “THP” means tetrahydropyranyl and “TMSOTf” meanstrimethylsilyl triflate. Extrelut™ is a product of Merck KgaA,Darmstadt, Germany, and is a short column comprising diatomaceous earth.Flashtube™ is a product of Trikonex and is a polyethylene tube packedwith 8.0 g of silica containing a fluorescence indicator.

A. Preparation of the Intermediates EXAMPLE A1

a) A mixture of 4-(hexahydro-1H-1,4-diazepin-1-yl)-benzoic acid, ethylester hydrochloride (1:2) (0.01 mol) and 2-naphthalenesulfonyl chloride(0.011 mol) in DCM p.a. (150 ml) was stirred at room temperature. NaHCO₃(saturated aqueous solution, 50 ml) was added and the reaction mixturewas stirred for 4 hours at room temperature. The layers were separated.The organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated. Theresidue was triturated under 2-propanol, filtered off and dried,yielding 4.5 g (quantitative yield) of4-[hexahydro-4-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-1H-1,4-diazepin-1-yl]-benzoicacid, ethyl ester (interm. 1).

b) A mixture of interm. 1 (0.0091 mol) in HCl 35% (10 ml) and1,4-dioxane (30 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 24 hours, then cooledand the resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed with dioxane, anddried. A part (0.9 g) of the residue (3.9 g, 96%) was recrystallizedfrom ethanol with a small amount of DMF, filtered off and dried,yielding 0.43 g of4-[hexahydro-4-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-1H-1,4-diazepin-1-yl]-benzoicacid (interm. 2).

c) A mixture of interm. 2 (0.0067 mol), O-(phenylmethyl)-hydroxylamine,hydrochloride (2 equiv, 0.0134 mol), 4-methylmorpholine (4 equiv, 0.027mol) and DMAP (0.5 g) in DCM p.a. (200 ml) was stirred at roomtemperature. DIC (2 equiv, 0.0134 mol) was added and the reactionmixture was stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. The solvent wasevaporated. The residue was triturated under ethanol, filtered off anddried. The residue was purified over silica gel on a glass filter(eluent: DCM/MeOH 99/1). The desired fractions were collected and thesolvent was evaporated. The residue was triturated under DCM (30 ml),filtered off and dried, yielding 1.9 g (55%) of4-[hexahydro-4-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-1H-1,4-diazepin-1-yl]-N-(phenylmethoxy)-benzamide(interm. 3).

EXAMPLE A2

a) A mixture of 4-(4-carboxyphenyl)-1-piperazinecarboxylic acid,1-(1,1-dimethylethyl)ester (0.032 mol), O-(phenylmethyl)-hydroxylaminehydrochloride (0.064 mol), DMAP (0.03 mol) in DCM p.a. (250 ml) and TEA(14 ml) was stirred at room temperature. DIC (0.064 mol) was added. Thereaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 8 hours, thenwashed with water, HCl (0.5N) and water. The separated organic layer wasdried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue waspurified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: DCM/MeOH98/2). The desired fractions were collected and the solvent wasevaporated, yielding 13.7 g of4-[4-[[(phenylmethoxy)amino]carbonyl]phenyl]- 1-piperazinecarboxylicacid, 1,1-dimethylethyl ester (interm. 4).

b) A mixture of interm. 4 (0.0137 mol) in TFA (57 ml) and DCM (300 ml)was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated.The residue was taken up in water/DCM and alkalized with NH₄OH. Theseparated aqueous layer was saturated with NaCl and extracted with DCM.The combined organic layer was dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solventwas evaporated. The residue was suspended in DIPE. The precipitate wasfiltered off and dried, yielding 1.6 g (37.6%) ofN-(phenylmethoxy)-4-(1-piperazinyl)-benzamide (interm. 5).

c) A mixture of interm. 5 (0.011 mol) in DCM (150 ml) and TEA (1.75 ml)was stirred at room temperature. 2-Naphthalenesulfonyl chloride (0.013mol) was dissolved in DCM (10 ml) and added drop wise to the reactionmixture. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30minutes, and then washed with water. The separated organic layer wasdried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue wassuspended in DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding3.6 g of4-[4-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-1-piperazinyl]-N-(phenylmethoxy)-benzamide(interm. 6).

EXAMPLE A3

A mixture of 1-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-piperazine(7.5 mmol) in THF (150 ml) was hydrogenated at 50° C. with Pd/C 10% (1g) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophene solution (0.5 ml). Afteruptake of H₂ (3 equiv.), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtratewas evaporated. The residue was crystallized from 2-propanol. The formedprecipitate was filtered off, washed with 2-propanol and dried (55° C.,vacuum), yielding 2.39 g (87%) of1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-piperazine (interm. 7).

EXAMPLE A4

a) NaH 60% (0.0217 mol) was added portionwise at room temperature to asolution of 1-(2-naphtalenesulfonyl)-piperazine (0.011 mol) in THF (50ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1hour, then cooled to 0° C. A solution of2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester (0.014 mol)in THF (30 ml) was added quickly. The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 2 hours, poured out into water and extracted with EtOAc.The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and thesolvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in diethyl ether. Theprecipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 3.92 g (84%) of2-[4-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-1-piperazinyl]- 5-pyrimidinecarboxylicacid, ethyl ester (interm. 8), melting point>260° C.

b) A mixture of interm. 8 (0.0011 mol) and potassium hydroxide (4.7mmol) in ethanol (5 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 24 hours, thencooled, poured out into ice water and acidified with HCl 6N. The mixturewas partly evaporated and cooled. The precipitate was filtered, washedwith water and dried, yielding 0.47 g (100%) of2-[4-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-1-piperazinyl]-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid(interm. 9), melting point>260° C.

c) TEA (0.0011 mol), EDC (0.0011 mol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (1.1 mmol)and O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.0011 mol) were addedat room temperature to a solution of interm. 9 (8 mol) in DCM/THF(50/50) (20 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred for 24 hours,then poured out into ice water and extracted with EtOAc. The organiclayer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent wasevaporated. The residue (0.56 g) was purified by column chromatographyover silica gel (eluent: DCM 100 to DCM/MeOH 90/10; 5 μm). The purefractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue(0.417 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent:DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 92/8/1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collected andthe solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.293 g (69%) of2-[4-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-1-piperazinyl]-N-[(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxy]-5-pyrimidinecarboxamide(interm. 10), melting point 198° C.

EXAMPLE A5

a) Preparation of

A mixture of 1-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-piperazine (1 equiv; 37 mmol),3-(bromomethyl)-benzoic acid, methyl ester (0.00037 mol) andmorpholinomethyl polystyrene 2% DVB (0.2 g, Novabiochem 01-64-0171,200-400 mesh loading 3.2-3.8 mmol/g) in DMF, p.a. (5 ml) was stirredovernight (20 hours) at 100° C. The reaction mixture was filtered. Theresin was washed with DMF. The solvent was evaporated at 80° C. under agentle stream of N₂. The residue was purified by column chromatography(eluent: CH₂Cl₂/EtOAc 1/1). The product fractions were collected,yielding 0.044 g of interm. 11.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 11 (1 mmol) in THF p.a. (3 ml) and NaOH 1N (1 ml)was stirred overnight at 60° C. HCl 1N (1 ml) was added. DCM (10 ml) wasadded and the reaction mixture was filtered through Extrelut™ NT(supplier: Merck). The filtrate (organic layer) was evaporated, yielding0.036 g of interm. 12.

c) Preparation of

Interm. 12 (0.088 mmol) was dissolved in THF/DCM 50/50 (6 ml). EDC (1.1equiv) was added, then TEA (1.2 equiv), then 1-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole(1.1 equiv), then O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (1.3equiv). The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature.Water (2 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 15 min.DCM (10 ml) was added and the mixture was dried over Extrelut™ NT(supplier: Merck). The organic layer was separated, and the solvent wasevaporated at 50° C. under a stream of N₂. The residue was purified byflash column chromatography on Flashtube™ 2008 (supplier Trikonex)(eluent: EtOAc). The product fractions were collected (cut off) and theneluted with DCM/MeOH 90/10). The product fractions were collected andthe solvent was evaporated at 50° C. under a stream of N₂, yielding0.025 g of interm. 13.

EXAMPLE A6

a) Preparation of

A mixture of 4-[[[4-(phenylmethyl)-1-piperazinyl]carbonyl]amino]-benzoicacid, ethyl ester (9 6 mmol) in ethanol (100 ml) was hydrogenated atroom temperature with Pd/C 10% (1 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂(1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off over dicalite and the filtratewas evaporated, yielding 3 g of interm. 14.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 14 (9.6 mmol) and TEA (0.012 mol) in DCM (100 ml)was stirred at room temperature. 2-Naphthalenesulfonyl chloride (9.6mmol) was added portionwise at room temperature. The reaction mixturewas stirred for 30 min at room temperature, then washed with water,dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue wascrystallized from DIPE/CH₃CN, filtered off and dried, yielding 3.02 g(67.4%) of interm. 15, melting point 182° C.

c) Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 15 (2 mmol) in NaOH 1N (30 ml), THF (80 ml) andMeOH (20 ml) was stirred for 20 hours at room temperature. The mixturewas neutralized with HCl 1N (30 ml). The mixture was diluted with water(100 ml), and then extracted three times with DCM. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated,yielding 0.9 g (95.7%) of interm. 16, melting point 242° C.

d) Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 16 (0.23 mmol),O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.25 mmol),1-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole (0.00025 mol) and TEA (0.00030 mol) in DCM,p.a. (10 ml) was stirred at room temperature. EDC (0.00025 mol) wasadded and the reaction mixture was stirred over the weekend at roomtemperature. The reaction mixture was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄),filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding interm. 17.

EXAMPLE A7

a) Preparation of

A mixture of 1-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-4-(4-nitrophenyl)-piperazine(7.5 m mol) in THF (150 ml) was hydrogenated at 50° C. with Pd/C 10% (1g) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophene solution (0.5 ml). Afteruptake of H₂ (3 equiv.), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtratewas evaporated. The residue was crystallized from 2-propanol. The formedprecipitate was filtered off, washed with 2-propanol and dried (55° C.,vacuum), yielding 2.39 g (87%) of interm. 18.

b) Preparation of

O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (8.5 mmol) was added at roomtemperature to a mixture of α-oxo-benzenepropanoic acid (7.8 mmol) inpyridine (12 ml) and ethanol (23 ml). The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 1 hour. The solvent was evaporated till dryness. Theresidue (2.6 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel(eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 85/15/1 70/30/3; 15-40 μm). The pure fractionswere collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.7 g (83%) ofinterm. 19.

c) Preparation of

EDC (1.3 mol) was added at room temperature to a mixture of interm. 18(1.1 mmol), (interm. 19) (1.3 mmol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate(1.3 mmol) in DCM/THF (8 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred atroom temperature overnight. K₂CO₃ 10% was added. The mixture wasextracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄),filtered, and the solvent was evaporated till dryness. The residue (0.9g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent:cyclohexane/EtOAc 65/35; 15-35 μm). The pure fractions were collectedand the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.35 g, 52%) wascrystallized from CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried,yielding 0.3 g (45%) of interm. 20, melting point 213° C.

EXAMPLE A8

a) Preparation of

A mixture of 1-(2-naphthalenesulfonyl)-piperazine (7.2 mmol),1-(4-fluorophenyl)-ethanone (11 mmol) and Na₂CO₃ (11 mmol) indimethylacetamide (5 ml) was stirred at 140° C. for 24 hours.1-(4-fluorophenyl)-ethanone (4 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirredat 140° C. for 48 hours, then cooled, poured out into ice water andextracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with water, dried(MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (3.5 g)was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent:cyclohexane/EtOAc 65/35; 15-35 μm). The pure fractions were collectedand the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.95 g, 34%) wascrystallized from acetonitrile. The precipitate was filtered off anddried, yielding 0.8 g of interm. 21, melting point 218° C.

b) Preparation of

A solution of interm. 21 (2.2 mmol) in trichloromethane (15 ml) wasadded at room temperature to a mixture of CuBr₂ (3.7 mmol) in EtOAc (25ml). The mixture was stirred at 50° C. for 12 hours, then cooled to roomtemperature, poured out into water and extracted with EtOAc. The organiclayer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent wasevaporated, yielding 1 g (96%) of interm. 22.

EXAMPLE A9

a) Preparation of

A mixture of 1-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-piperazine (3.6 mmol),4-fluoro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-benzoic acid, ethyl esther (7.2 mmol) andNa₂CO₃ (7.2 mmol) in dimethylacetamide (10 ml) was stirred at 140° C.for 20 hours, then cooled to room temperature, poured out into ice waterand extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was washed with water, dried(MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.93 g)was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent:cyclohexane/EtOAc 75/35; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collectedand the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.8 g) was crystallizedfrom diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding1.265 g of interm. 23 (71%), melting point 122° C.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 23 (3.4 mmol) and KOH (0.017 mol) in ethanol (15ml) was stirred and refluxed for 24 hours, poured out into ice water andacidified with HCl3N. The precipitate was filtered, washed withwater/diethyl ether and dried, yielding 1.255 g (80%) of interm. 24,melting point 194° C.

c) Preparation of

TEA (1.4 mmol), EDC (1.4 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydate (1.4 mmol)then O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (1.4 mmol) were added at12° C. to a solution of (interm. 24) (1 mmol) in DCM/THF 50/50 (20 ml)under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours,poured out into ice water and extracted with DCM. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Theresidue was crystallized from DCM/diethyl ether. The precipitate wasfiltered off and dried, yielding 0.48 g (79%) of interm. 25, meltingpoint 192° C.

EXAMPLE A10

a) Preparation of

NaH 60% (15 mmol) was added portionwise at room temperature to a mixtureof 1-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-piperazine (7.5 mmol) in THF (35m1). Themixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour and 30 minutes underN₂ flow. A solution of4-chloro-2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester(9.8 mmol) in THF (35 ml) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 3 hours and 30 minutes, poured out into ice waterand extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried(MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (4.6 g)was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent:cyclohexane/EtOAc 80/20 to 20/80; 15-40 μm). Three fractions werecollected and the solvent was evaporated. One of these fractions is usedin the next step, yielding 0.48 g (14%) of interm. 26, melting point123° C.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 26 (0.8 mmol) and KOH (4.2 mmol) in ethanol (10 ml)was stirred and refluxed for 24 hours, then cooled to room temperature,poured out into ice water and acidified with HCl 6N. The precipitate wasfiltered, washed with water/diethyl ether and dried, yielding 0.33 g(93%) of interm. 27, melting point 244° C.

c) Preparation of

TEA (0.8 mmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (0.8 mmol), EDC (0 8mmol) then O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.8 mmol) wereadded at room temperature to a solution of (interm. 27) (0.6 mmol) inDCM/THF (10 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 24 hours, poured out into ice water and extracted withDCM. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and thesolvent was evaporated. The residue (0.47 g) was purified by columnchromatography over silica gel (eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 98/2/0.1; 15-40μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated,yielding 0.18 g (53%) of interm. 28, melting point 80° C.

EXAMPLE A11

a) Preparation of

1-(Phenylmethyl)-piperazine (0.125 mol) was dissolved in acetonitrile(200 ml). K₂CO₃ (0.34 mol) was added. A solution of2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester (0.161 mol)in acetonitrile (200 ml) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 2 hours, then diluted with DCM (1000 ml) and washedwith water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered andthe solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by columnchromatography over silicagel (DCM/MeOH 98/2). The pure fractions werecollected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dried undervacuum at 50° C., yielding 33.6 g (82.5%) of interm. 29.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 29 (0.03 mol) in ethanol (250 ml) was hydrogenatedat 50° C. with Pd/C 10% (2 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (1equiv), the catalyst was filtered off over dicalite and the filtrate wasevaporated on Rotovap. The residue was purified by column chromatographyover silica gel (eluent: DCM/(MeOH/NH₃) 90/10). The product fractionswere collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 6.8 g (>96%) ofinterm. 30.

c) Preparation of

TEA (0.038 mol) was added to a solution of interm. 30 (0.029 mol) in DCM(150 ml). 2-Naphthalenesulfonyl chloride (0.032 mol) was added and thereaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. Then themixture was washed with water. The organic layer was separated, washedwith water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Theresidue was crystallized from CH₃CN, filtered off and dried in vacuo,yielding 7.4 g (>60%) of interm. 31, melting point >260° C.

d) Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 31 (0.017 mol) in THF (250 ml), NaOH 1N (250 ml)and MeOH (50 ml) was stirred for 5 hours at room temperature. HCl 1N(250 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred for 45 min at roomtemperature. The precipitate was filtered off and dried (vacuum, 60° C.,overnight), yielding 6.0 g (89%) of interm. 32, melting point >260° C.

e) Preparation of

Interm. 32 (0.015 mol) was stirred in DCM/THF 50/50 (650 ml). EDC (0.018mol) was added. TEA (0.020 mol) was added. 1-Hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole(0.018 mol) was added, followed byO-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.018 mol). The reactionmixture was stirred for 6 hours at room temperature, and then washedtwice with water and DCM was added. The organic layer was separated,dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue wassuspended in boiling CH₃CN, then stirred overnight at room temperature.The resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed with CH₃CN, and dried(vacuum; 50° C.), yielding 6.1 g (82%) of interm. 33, melting point 198°C.

EXAMPLE A12

a) Preparation of

NaH (6.5 mmol) was added at room temperature to a solution of4-(1-piperazinylsulfonyl)-morpholine (3.2 mmol) in THF (15 ml) under N₂flow. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour, then cooled to 0° C. Asolution of 2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester(4.2 mmol) in THF (9 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred for 2 hours,poured out into ice water. The precipitate was filtered off and dried.The residue (0.665 g) was taken up in diethyl ether. The precipitate wasfiltered off and dried. The filtrate was evaporated and combined withthe precipitate, yielding 0.408 g of interm. 34.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 34 (1 mmol) and LiOH H₂O (3.1 mmol) in THF (6 ml)and water (6 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 24 hours, then cooled. Thesolvent was evaporated. The mixture was acidified with HCl 3N. EtOAc wasadded. The mixture was filtered over celite. The organic layer wasextracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄),filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.139 g of interm. 35.

c) Preparation of

1-Hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (0.5 mmol) and EDC (0.5 mmol) were addedat 10° C. to a solution of interm. 35 (0.3 mmol) and TEA (0.5 mmol) inTHF/DCM (6 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour.O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.5 mmol) was added. Themixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Ice and water wereadded. The mixture was extracted with DCM. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. Theresidue (0.259 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel(eluent: CH₂Cl₂/iPrOH/NH₄OH 98/2/0.2; 10 μm). The pure fractions werecollected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.024 g of interm 36.

EXAMPLE A13

a) Preparation of

Interm. 30 (114 mmol) was stirred in 800 ml DCM, TEA (180 mmol) wasadded, 4-iodo-benzenesulfonyl chloride (149 mmol) was added in portions.The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. DCM(1000 ml) and water (300 ml) were added. The organic layer wasextracted, separated and dried (MgSO4), filtered and the solvent wasevaporated. The product (crude) was suspended in boiling acetonitrile,allowed to reach room temperature and filtered. The product was dried invacuum at 50° C., yielding 51.4 g (89.5%) of interm. 37.

b) Preparation of

A solution of interm. 37 (0.1 mmol) and cesium carbonate (0.15 mmol) inDMF (2 ml) was added to a solution of (3-methoxyphenyl)-boronic acid(0.149 mmol) in DMF (1 ml). The reaction mixture was shaked under N₂ for2 min. Palladium(II) acetate (0.02 mmol) and1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (0.02 mmol) were added. The reactionmixture was shaked at 80° C. for 4 h and then allowed to reach roomtemperature. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum at 80° C. Theresidue was dissolved in DCM (20 ml) and MeOH (2 ml) and then washedwith 3 ml 10% Na₂CO₃ in water. The reaction mixture was dried overExtrelut™ NT (supplier: Merck) and concentrated at 50° C. with N₂-blow.The product was purified by column chromatography over silicagel. Thepure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated and driedat 50° C. under N₂-blow, yielding interm. 38.

c) Preparation of

Interm. 38 (0.0352 mmol) was dissolved in THF (4 ml) and MeOH (1 ml).NaOH (1.5 mmol) was added. The mixture was stirred overnight at roomtemperature. A mixture of HCl (1.5 ml) and 10 to 20 ml THF were added.The reaction mixture was dried Extrelut™ NT (supplier: Merck). Thesolvent was evaporated (60° C., N₂-blow). Toluene was added. The solventwas evaporated under vacuum at 70° C. Toluene was added again. Thesolvent was evaporated at 80° C. under vacuum, yielding 16mg (100%) ofinterm. 39.

d) Preparation of

A solution of 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.1 mmol), EDC (0.1 mmol) and TEA(0.12 mmol) in DCM (3 ml) and THF (4 ml) was added to (interm. 39) (0.1mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 5 min at room temperature.O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.1 mmol) was added. Thereaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. Water (3 ml)and DCM (10 ml) were added. The reaction mixture was dried. The reactionmixture was concentrated under N₂ at 60° C. The residue was dissolved inDCM (5 ml) and shaked gently for 4 hours with 150 mgmethylisocyanate-polystyrene 2% DVB 200-400 mesh loading 1.4-1.8 mmol/g(Supplier: Novabiochem 01-64-0169) to scavenge the excess ofO-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine The mixture was filtered, theresin was washed twice with DCM (2 ml). The mixture was concentrated at40° C. under N₂ and then purified by column chromatography (eluent 50%EtOAc/DCM). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent wasevaporated, yielding interm. 40.

EXAMPLE A14

Preparation of

A mixture of 3,6-dichloro-pyridazine (0.0034 mol) and1-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-piperazine (0.0034 mol) in DMF (2 ml) wasstirred at 110° C. for 4 hours, then cooled to room temperature andpoured out into EtOAc/H₂O. The mixture was filtered off. The filtratewas extracted. The organic layer was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄),filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.85 g) waspurified by column chromatography over silica gel (20-45 μm) (eluent:cyclohexane/EtOAc 90/10). The pure fractions were collected and thesolvent was evaporated (0.56 g, 42%). This fraction was crystallizedfrom diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding0.178 g (14%) of intermediate 41, melting point 213° C.

EXAMPLE A15

a) Preparation of

A solution of 2-naphtalenesulfonyl chloride (0.0066 mol) in DCM (15 ml)was added dropwise at 0° C. to a mixture of2,5-diazabicyclo[2.2.1]heptane-2-carboxylic acid, 1,1-dimethylethylester, (1S,4S) (0.0051 mol) and TEA (0.0098 mol) in DCM (15 ml). Themixture was stirred at room temperature for 12 hours, poured out intoice water and extracted with DCM. The organic layer was washed withpotassium carbonate 10%, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent wasevaporated. The residue was crystallized from diethyl ether. Theprecipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 2.05 g (85%) ofintermediate 42 (S,S), melting point 129° C.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 42 (S,S) (0.0049 mol) in HCl 6N (20 ml) andTHF (5 ml) was stirred at 80° C. for 12 hours, then cooled to roomtemperature, poured out into ice water, basified with NH₄OH andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄),filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.4 g) wascrystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off anddried, yielding 0.5 g (36%) of intermediate 43 (S,S), melting point 159°C.

c) Preparation of

Sodium hydride 60% (0.0051 mol) was added at 0° C. to a mixture ofintermediate 43(S,S) (0.0034 mol) in THF (20 ml) under N₂ flow. Themixture was stirred for 1 hour. A solution of2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester (0.0045 mol)in THF (10 ml) was added dropwise at 0° C. The mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 2 hours and poured out into ice water. EtOAc wasadded. The mixture was filtered, washed with diethyl ether and dried,yielding 0.4 g of intermediate 44 (S,S), melting point 212° C. Thefiltrate was extracted. The organic layer was washed with water, dried(MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.7 g)was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (15-35 μm)(eluent: cyclohexane/EtOAc 60/40). The pure fractions were collected andthe solvent was evaporated yielding 1 g (66%) of intermediate 44 (S,S)

d) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 44 (S,S) (0.0021 mol) and sodium hydroxide(0.0042 mol) in EtOH (40 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 12 hours, thencooled. The precipitate was filtered, washed with diethyl ether anddried, yielding 0.56 g (62%) of intermediate 45.Na (S,S).

e) Preparation of

EDC (0.0017 mol) and DCM (20 ml) were added at room temperature to amixture of intermediate 45 (0.0013 mol),O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.0017 mol) and1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.0017 mol) in THF (20 ml). The mixture wasstirred at room temperature for 12 hours, poured out into water andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄),filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.8 g) waspurified by column chromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm) (eluent:DCM/MeOH 90.5/0.5). The pure fractions were collected and the solventwas evaporated. The residue (0.43 g, 66%) was crystallized from diethylether/DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.36 gof intermediate 46 (S,S), melting point 176° C.

EXAMPLE A16

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 26 (0.001 mol), N-methyl-methanamine,hydrochloride (0.0015 mol) and potassium carbonate (0.003 mol) inacetonitrile (10 ml) was stirred at 80° C. for 24 hours, then cooled,poured out into ice water and extracted with DCM. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. Theresidue (0.45 g) was crystallized from DIPE. The precipitate wasfiltered off and dried, yielding 0.254 g (53%) of intermediate 47,melting point 117° C.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 47 (0.0008 mol) and sodium hydroxide (0.0019mol) in EtOH (10 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 24 hours, then cooledto room temperature, poured out into ice water, acidified with HCl 3Nand extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried(MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.25 g (67%)of intermediate 48. This product was used directly in the next reactionstep.

c) Preparation of

1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.0007 mol) and EDC (0.0007 mol) were added atroom temperature to a solution of intermediate 48 (0.0005 mol) and TEA(0.0007 mol) in THF/DCM (6 ml). The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes.O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.0007 mol) was added. Themixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours, poured out intoice water. The mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. Theresidue (0.48 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel(10 μm) (eluent: DCM/MeOH 98/2). The pure fractions were collected andthe solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.127 g) was crystallized fromdiethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.12g (40%) of intermediate 49, melting point 118° C.

EXAMPLE A17

a) Preparation of

Sodium hydride (0.0181 mol) was added at room temperature to a solutionof 1-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-piperazine (0.009 mol) in THF (15 ml)under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour, then cooled to 0° C.A solution of 5-chloro-pyrazinecarboxylic acid, methyl ester (0.0136mol) in THF (5 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred at 90° C.overnight, then cooled and poured out into ice water. The precipitatewas filtered, washed with water, then with diethyl ether and dried,yielding 3.3 g (89%) of intermediate 50, melting point 216° C.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 50 (0.0079 mol) and potassium hydroxide (0.039mol) in MeOH (50 ml) was stirred and refluxed overnight, then cooled,poured out into ice water and acidified with HCl 3N. The precipitate wasfiltered, washed with water and dried, yielding 2.88 g (92%) ofintermediate 51, melting point 273° C.

c) Preparation of

EDC (0.0092 mol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.0092 mol) were added atroom temperature to a solution of intermediate 51 (0.007 mol) and TEA(0.0092 mol) in

THF/DCM (96 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour.O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.0092 mol) was added. Themixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 days, poured out into icewater and extracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried(MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (4.2 g)was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm)(eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 98/2/0.1). Two fractions were collected and thesolvent was evaporated, yielding 2 g F1 and 1.2 g F2. F1 wascrystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off anddried, yielding 1.84 g of intermediate 52, melting point 201° C. F2 wascrystallized from diethyl ether/DCM/MeOH. The precipitate was filteredoff and dried, yielding 1.2 g (24%) of intermediate 52. Total yielding2.576 g (77%) of intermediate 52.

EXAMPLE A18

a) Preparation of

Sodium hydride 60% (0.0052 mol) was added at room temperature to asolution of 1-(2-naphthalenylsulfonyl)-piperazine (0.0026 mol) in THF(10 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1hour, then cooled to 0° C. A solution of4-chloro-2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester(0.0008 mol) in THF (5 ml) was added quickly. The mixture was stirred at0° C. for 3 hours, poured out into ice water and extracted with EtOAc.The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and thesolvent was evaporated. The residue (0.86 g) was purified by columnchromatography over silicagel (10 μm) (eluent: cyclohexane/EtOAc 80/20).The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. Theresidue (0.29 g) was taken up in diethyl ether. The precipitate wasfiltered off and dried, yielding 0.264 g (43%) of intermediate 53,melting point 124° C.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 53 (0.0003 mol) and potassium hydroxide(0.0012 mol) in EtOH (8 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 24 hours, thencooled. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up in icewater, acidified with HCl 3N and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layerwas separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated,yielding (0.14 g) of intermediate 54. This fraction was used directly inthe next reaction step.

c) Preparation of

1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.0002 mol) and EDC (0.0002 mol) were added atroom temperature to a solution of intermediate 54 (0.0002 mol) and TEA(0.0002 mol) in THF/DCM (6 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred atroom temperature for 1 hour. O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine(0.0002 mol) was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperatureovernight, poured out into ice water and extracted with DCM. The organiclayer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent wasevaporated. The residue (0.16 g) was purified by column chromatographyover silicagel (10 μm) (eluent: DCM 100 then DCM/MeOH 99/1). The purefractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.023g of intermediate 55.

EXAMPLE A19

a) Preparation of

A solution of 2-naphtalenesulfonyl chloride (0.0022 mol) in DCM (5 ml)was added dropwise at 0° C. to a mixture of3-(aminocarbonyl)-1-piperazinecarboxylic acid, 1,1-dimethylethyl ester(0.0022 mol) and TEA (0.0044 mol) in DCM (5 ml). The mixture was stirredat room temperature for 20 hours, poured out into ice water andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄),filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.9 g) wascrystallized from DCM/methyl alcohol/diethyl ether. The precipitate wasfiltered off and dried, yielding 0.7 g (76%) of intermediate 56, meltingpoint 200° C.

b) Preparation of

Trifluoroacetic acid (2 ml) was added to a solution of intermediate 56(0.0015 mol) in DCM (20 ml) and stirred at room temperature for 7 h. Themixture was poured out into ice water, basified by NH₄OH and extractedwith DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, andthe solvent was evaporated yielding 0.44 g (90%) of intermediate 57,melting point 148° C.

c) Preparation of

A solution of 2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, ethylester (0.0164 mol) in acetonitrile (30 ml) was added at 10° C. to asolution of intermediate 57 (0.0164 mol) and potassium carbonate (0.019mol) in acetonitrile (30 ml). The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 4 hours, poured out into ice water and extracted withEtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and thesolvent was evaporated. The residue (8.4 g) was purified by columnchromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm) (eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH97/3/0.1). Two fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated,yielding 1.49 g F1 and 2.41 g F2. F1 was crystallized from diethylether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 1.42 g (19%)of intermediate 58, melting point 171° C. F2 was crystallized fromdiethyl ether/MeOH. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding1.405 g (18%) of intermediate 58. Total yielding 2.8 g (37%) ofintermediate 58.

d) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 58 (0.0059 mol) and lithium hydroxide,monohydrate (0.0095 mol) in THF (50 ml) and water (50 ml) was stirred atroom temperature for 5 hours, poured out into ice water and acidifiedwith HCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water and driedwith diethyl ether under a vacuo, yielding 1.96 g (76%) of intermediate59, melting point 277° C. This fraction was used directly in the nextreaction step.

e) Preparation of

EDC (0.0058 mol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.0058 mol) were added at10° C. to a solution of intermediate 59 (0.0044 mol) and TEA (0.0058mol) in THF/DCM (40 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred for 1hour. O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.0058 mol) was added.The mixture was stirred from 10° C. to room temperature overnight,poured out into ice water and extracted with DCM. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. Theresidue (2.95 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel(15-40 μm) (eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 97/3/0.1). The pure fractions werecollected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.6 g) wascrystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off anddried, yielding 1.355 g (57%) of intermediate 60, melting point 160° C.

EXAMPLE A20

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 26 (0.0043 mol) and lithium hydroxide,monohydrate (0.013 mol) in THF (60 ml) and water (60 ml) was stirred atroom temperature for 24 hours, poured out into ice water, acidified withHCl 3N and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried(MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.37 g)was crystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered offand dried, yielding 1.76 g (94%) of intermediate 61.

b) Preparation of

EDC (0.0007 mol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.0007 mol) were added atroom temperature to a solution of intermediate 61 (0.0005 mol) and TEA(0.0007 mol) in THF/DCM (6 ml). The mixture was stirred for 30 minutes.O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.0007 mol) was added. Themixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours.O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.0007 mol) was added again.The mixture was stirred overnight, poured out into ice water andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄),filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.47 g) waspurified by column chromatography over silica (10 μm) (eluent: DCM 100then DCM/MeOH 99/1;). The pure fractions were collected and the solventwas evaporated. The residue (0.25 g, 82%) was crystallized from diethylether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.215 g(70%) of intermediate 62, melting point 122° C.

EXAMPLE A21

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 41 (0.0013 mol), Pd(OAc)₂ (0.0006 mol),1,3-propanediylbis[diphenyl-phosphine (0.0006 mol) and acetic acid,potassium salt (0.0026 mol) in MeOH (35 ml) was stirred at 100° C. for 5hours under a 5 bar pressure of CO and poured out into ice water. DCMwas added. The mixture was filtered over celite. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. Theresidue (2.06 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel(15-40 μm) (eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 97/3/0.1). The pure fractions werecollected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.40 g (74%) ofintermediate 63.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 63 (0.0014 mol) and potassium hydroxide(0.0059 mol) in MeOH (15 ml) was stirred at 60° C. for 5 hours, thencooled to room temperature, poured out into ice water and acidified withHCl 3N. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water/diethyl etherand dried, yielding 0.47 g (80%) of intermediate 64, melting point 238°C. This product was used directly in the next reaction step.

c) Preparation of

A solution of EDC (0.0015 mol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.0015 mol)was added at room temperature to a solution of intermediate 64 (0.0012mol) and TEA (0.0015 mol) in THF/DCM (50/50) (16 ml) under N₂ flow. Themixture was stirred for 30 minutes.O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.0015 mol) was added. Themixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours, poured out intoice water and extracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried(MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1 g) waspurified by column chromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm) (eluent:DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 98/2/0.1). The pure fractions were collected and thesolvent was evaporated. The residue (0.36 g) was crystallized fromdiethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding0.275 g (46%) of intermediate 65, melting point 211° C.

EXAMPLE A22

a) Preparation of

A solution of 2-naphthalenesulfonyl chloride (0.028 mol) in DCM (40 ml)was added dropwise at 0° C. to a mixture of4-(triphenylmethyl)-2-piperazinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester (0.025 mol)and TEA (0.038 mol) in DCM (70 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture wasstirred at room temperature for 12 hours, poured out into ice water andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was washed with water, dried(MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (15 g) wascrystallized from acetonitrile. The precipitate was filtered off anddried, yielding 6 g of intermediate 66, melting point 145° C. The motherlayer was evaporated and was crystallized from CH3CN/diethyl ether. Theprecipitate was filtered off and dried. Yielding: 2.2 g of intermediate66. The mother layer was evaporated. Yielding: 4.5 g of intermediate 66.

b) Preparation of

Intermediate 66 (0.0102 mol) was added portionwise at 0° C. to asuspension of LiAlH₄ (0.0203 mol) in THF (60 ml) under N₂ flow. Then THF(200 ml) was added. The mixture was stirred from 0° C. to roomtemperature for 2 hours. EtOAc, then water were added. The mixture wasfiltered over celite. Celite was washed with MeOH. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated,yielding 5.3 g (95%) of intermediate 67. Part of this fraction (0.15 g)was crystallized from diethyl ether/DIPE. The precipitate was filteredoff and dried, yielding 0.049 g of intermediate 67, melting point 277°C.

c) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 67 (0.0091 mol) in HCl 3N (3 ml) and2-propanone (100 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours. Thesolvent was evaporated. Water was added. The mixture was extracted twicewith diethyl ether. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄),filtered, and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.4 g (50%)intermediate 68. Part of this fraction (0.2 g) was crystallized fromDIPE. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.08 g ofintermediate 68, melting point 130° C.

d) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 68 (0.0036 mol),2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester (0.0047 mol)and potassium carbonate (0.0072 mol) in acetonitrile (80 ml) was stirredat room temperature overnight, poured out into water and extracted withEtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and thesolvent was evaporated. The residue (1.5 g) was purified by columnchromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm) (eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH97/3/0.1). The fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated.Yielding 0.91 g of intermediate 69. Part of this fraction (0.59 g) wascrystallized from CH₃CN/DIPE. The precipitate was filtered off anddried, yielding 0.3 g of intermediate 69, melting point 151° C.

e) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 69 (0.0011 mol) and sodium hydroxide (0.0022mol) in EtOH (30 ml) was stirred at 80° C. for 12 hours, then cooled toroom temperature. The precipitate was filtered, washed with EtOH, thenwith diethyl ether and dried, yielding 0.36 g (72%) of intermediate70.Na, melting point >260° C.

f) Preparation of

1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.001 mol) then EDC (0.001 mol) were added atroom temperature to a mixture of intermediate 70 (0.0007 mol) andO-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.001 mol) in DCM (20 ml)and THF (20 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 12hours, poured out into water and extracted with DCM. The organic layerwas separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated.The residue (0.4 g) was crystallized from CH₃CN/diethyl ether. Theprecipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.17 g (41%) ofintermediate 71, melting point 194° C.

EXAMPLE A23

a) Preparation of

A mixture of 2-piperazinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester (0.0108 mol),2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, ethyl ester (0.012 mol)and potassium carbonate (0.0215 mol) in acetonitrile (20 ml) was stirredat 80° C. for 24 hours, then cooled to room temperature, poured out intoice water and extracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried(MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 2.65 g ofintermediate 72. This product was used directly in the next reactionstep.

b) Preparation of

A solution of 2-naphthalenesulfonyl chloride (0.0095 mol) in DCM (30 ml)was added at 10° C. to a solution of intermediate 72 (0.0086 mol) andTEA (0.0172 mol) in DCM (30 ml). The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 6 hours, poured out into ice water and extracted withDCM. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and thesolvent was evaporated. The residue (6.04 g) was purified by columnchromatography over silica gel (eluent: cyclohexane/EtOAc 80/20; 15-40μm). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated.The residue (0.69 g, 16%) was crystallized from diethyl ether/DCM. Theprecipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.45 g (10%) ofintermediate 73, melting point 148° C.

c) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 73 (0.0011 mol) and lithium hydroxidemonohydrate (0.0044 mol) in THF (5 ml) and water (5 ml) was stirred atroom temperature for 27 hours, poured out into ice water, acidified withHCl 3N and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, dried(MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.62 g)was crystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered offand dried, yielding 0.26 g (54%) of intermediate 74, melting point 247°C.

d) Preparation of

EDC (0.0027 mol) then 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.0027 mol) were added atroom temperature to a solution of intermediate 74 (0.001 mol) in TEA(0.0027 mol) and THF/DCM (16 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirredat room temperature for 48 hours, poured out into ice water andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄),filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.22 g) waspurified by column chromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm) (eluent:DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 97/3/0.1). The pure fractions were collected and thesolvent was evaporated, yielding 0.242 g of intermediate 75.

EXAMPLE A24

a) Preparation of

A solution of 2-(methylsulfonyl)-5-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid, ethylester (0.0048 mol) in acetonitrile (20 ml) was added at 10° C. to asolution of N,N-dimethyl-2-piperazinemethanamine (0.01 mol) andpotassium carbonate (0.02 mol) in acetonitrile (20 ml) under N₂ flow.The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours, poured out intoice water and extracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried(MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (2.25 g)was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm)(eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 96/4/0.5). The pure fractions were collected andthe solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.34 g (91%) of intermediate 76.

b) Preparation of

A solution of 2-naphthalenesulfonyl chloride (0.0027 mol) in DCM (5 ml)was added dropwise at 10° C. to a solution of intermediate 76 (0.0018mol) and TEA (0.0037 mol) in DCM (10 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture wasstirred at room temperature for 5 hours, poured out into ice water andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄),filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (1.22 g) waspurified by column chromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm) (eluent:DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 98/2/0.1). The pure fractions were collected and thesolvent was evaporated. The residue (1.1 g) was crystallized fromdiethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.74g (84%) of intermediate 77, melting point 138° C.

c) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 77 (0.0014 mol) and sodium hydroxide (0.0057mol) in EtOH (20 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 6 hours, then cooledto room temperature. The precipitate was filtered, washed with diethylether and dried, yielding 0.56 g (84%) of intermediate 78.Na. Thisproduct was used directly in the next reaction step.

d) Preparation of

EDC (0.0015 mol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.0015 mol) were added atroom temperature to a solution of intermediate 78 (0.0012 mol) in THF (5ml) and DCM (5 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred for 45minutes. O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.0015 mol) wasadded. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight, poured outinto ice water and extracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated,dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue(0.62 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (15-40μm) (eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 94/6/0.1). The pure fractions were collectedand the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.55 g (77%) of intermediate79, melting point 100° C.

EXAMPLE A25

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 30 (0.066 mol) in TEA (0.1 mol) and DCM (500ml) was stirred at room temperature, then a solution of4-iodo-benzenesulfonyl chloride (0.079 mol) in DCM (50 ml) was addeddropwise at room temperature and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2hours at room temperature. The mixture was washed with water, dried(MgSO₄) and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was suspended inCH₃CN, the resulting precipitate was filtered off, then washed withCH₃CN and dried, yielding 27 g (81.4%) of intermediate 80, melting point257° C. .

b) Preparation of

Intermediate 80 (0.0995 mol) was suspended in DMF (250 ml) and themixture was stirred for 5 minutes under N₂-atm. Cesium carbonate (0.0184mol), then (2-formyl-3-thienyl)-boronic acid (0.0149 mol) was added andthe reaction mixture was stirred for 5 minutes under N₂-atmosphere.Finally, dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium (0.00199 mol) wasadded and the reaction mixture was stirred and refluxed at 80-100° C.for 3.5 hours under N₂-atm. The mixture was allowed to reach roomtemperature and the solvent was evaporated (vac.). The residue wassuspended in acetonitrile and the resulting precipitate was filteredoff, then purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent:DCM/MeOH from 100/0 to 98/2). The product fractions were collected, thesolvent was evaporated and the residue was filtered off, then dried(vac.), yielding 4.250 g (87.8%) of intermediate 81.

c) Preparation of

A mixture of N-methyl-methanamine (0.011 mol) and intermediate 81(0.0021 mol) in EtOH (100 ml) was hydrogenated overnight at 50° C. withPd/C 10% (1 g) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophene solution (1ml). After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv.), the reaction mixture was filteredover dicalite and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purifiedby column chromatography over silica gel (gradient eluent: DCM/MeOH from100/0 to 97/3). The product fractions were collected and the solvent wasevaporated, yielding 0.54 g (51%) of intermediate 82.

d) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 82 (0.001 mol) and sodium hydroxide (0.010mol) in THF (10 ml) was stirred for 4 days at room temperature, then HCl1N (10 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 10 min.The resulting precipitate was filtered off and dried under vacuum at 50°C. for 5 hours, yielding 0.47 g (92%) of intermediate 83.

e) Preparation of

Intermediate 83 (0.0009639 mol) was stirred in DCM (20 ml) and THF (20ml), then N′-(ethylcarbonimidoyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine,monohydrochloride (0.001253 mol), 1-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole (0.001253mol) and O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.001253 mol) wereadded consecutively and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 days atroom temperature. Water was added and the organic layer was separated,dried (MgSO₄) and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purifiedby column chromatography over silica gel (gradient eluent: DCM/MeOH from100/0 to 97/3). The product fractions were collected and the solvent wasevaporated, yielding 0.5 g (88.41%) of intermediate 84.

EXAMPLE A26

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 80 (0.015 mol) in DMF (700 ml) was stirred for15 min. under N₂-atmosphere, then cesium carbonate (0.023 mol) was addedand the mixture was stirred for 5 min. under N₂-atm.2-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-phenol (0.023 mol), thendichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium (0.00030 mol) was added andthe reaction mixture was stirred for 4 hours at 80° C. under N₂-atm. Themixture was filtered over dicalite and this dicalite was washed with DCMand DMF. The organic layer was separated and concentrated. DCM was addedand the mixture was washed with a 10% sodium carbonate solution, thenthe organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solventwas evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography oversilica gel (eluent: DCM/MeOH 97/3). The product fractions were collectedand the solvent was evaporated, yielding 5.6 g (79%) of intermediate 85.

b) Preparation of

The first part of this procedure was done 10 times: a mixture of1-(2-chloroethyl)-pyrrolidine, hydrochloride (0.0006 mol) andintermediate 85 (0.0002 mol) in THF (4 ml) and sodium hydroxide (2 ml)was reacted in a microwave at 150° C. for 2 hours. Then, the 10 reactionmixtures were combined, diluted with water and acidified with HCl (1N)to pH: 4.5-5.5. The resulting precipitate was filtered off and dried(vac.), yielding 2 g of intermediate 86.

c) Preparation of

Intermediate 86 (0.00372 mol) was stirred in DCM (50 ml) and THF (50ml). TEA (0.03594 mol), thenN-(ethylcarbonimidoyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine,monohydrochloride (0.00372 mol), then 1-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole(0.004836 mol) and finally O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine(0.004836 mol) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 1 day, then the mixture was dissolved in DCM and washedwith water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered andthe solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by columnchromatography over silica gel (Biotage, 40M, gradient eluent:DCM/(MeOH/NH₃) from 100/0 to 93/7). The product fractions were collectedand the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.770 g of intermediate 87.

EXAMPLE A27

a) Preparation of

Intermediate 80 (0.020 mol) was stirred in EtOH (500 ml), then stirredfor 20 minutes under N₂-atm. at room temperature.(2-formylphenyl)-boronic acid (0.030 mol), then cesium carbonate (0.030mol) and finally dichlorobis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium (0.00040 mol)was added. The reaction mixture was stirred and refluxed for 6 hoursunder N₂-atmosphere, then the solvent was evaporated. The residue wasdissolved in DCM and washed with water. The organic layer was separated,dried (MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue waspurified by column chromatography over silica gel (gradient eluent:DCM/MeOH from 100/0 to 98/2). The product fractions were collected andthe solvent was evaporated, yielding 5.1 g (53%) of intermediate 88.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 88 (0.00208 mol) and N-methyl-methanamine(0.0222 mol) in MeOH (100 ml) was hydrogenated at room temperature for 1day with Pd/C 10% (0.5 g) as a catalyst in the presence of thiophenesolution (1 ml). After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv.), the reaction mixture wasfiltered over dicalite and the filtrate was evaporated. The residue waspurified by column chromatography over silica gel (gradient eluent:DCM/MeOH from 100/0 to 90/10). The product fractions were collected andthe solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallised fromacetonitrile, the resulting precipitate was filtered off, washed anddried (vac.), yielding 0.710 g (66.9%) of intermediate 89.

c) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 89 (0.00139 mol) and sodium hydroxide 1N(0.010 mol) in THF (10 ml) and MeOH (2 ml) was stirred overnight at roomtemperature, then HCl 1N (10 ml) was added and the reaction mixture wasstirred for 15 min. at room temperature. The resulting precipitate wasfiltered off and dried (vac., 60° C.), yielding 0.610 g (90.9%) ofintermediate 90.

d) Preparation of

Intermediate 90 (0.001267 mol) was stirred in DCM (50 ml) and THF (50ml). TEA (0.007189 mol), thenN′-(ethylcarbonimidoyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine,monohydrochloride (0.001647 mol), then 1-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole(0.001647 mol) and finally O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine(0.001647 mol) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 1 day, then the mixture was dissolved in DCM and washedwith water. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered andthe solvent was evaporated. The residue was crystallised fromacetonitrile, the resulting precipitate was filtered off and dried(vac., 50° C.), yielding 0.560 g (76.13%) of intermediate 91.

EXAMPLE A28

a) Preparation of

nBuLi 1.6M in hexane (0.0069 mol) was added dropwise at −70° C. to asolution of [2-(3-bromophenyl)ethoxy](1,1-dimethylethyl)dimethyl-silane(0.0063 mol) in THF (20 ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred for 1hour. Trisisopropoxyborane (0.0069 mol) was added dropwise. The mixturewas stirred at −70° C. for 30 minutes, then brought to −20° C. Water wasadded. The mixture was extracted with DCM. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated tilldryness, yielding 1.8 g (100%) of intermediate 92.

b) Preparation of

A solution of intermediate 92 (0.0063 mol) in DMF (60 ml) was added to amixture of intermediate 80 (0.0045 mol) and cesium carbonate (0.0063mol) in DMF (20 ml). The mixture was stirred for 15 minutes.Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)-palladium (0.0004 mol) was added. Themixture was stirred at 80° C. for 18 hours, then cooled to roomtemperature. HCl 3N was added. The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 3 hours, then filtered over celite. Celite was washedseveral times with water. The filtrate was taken up several times withDCM. The organic layer was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered,and the solvent was evaporated till dryness. The residue (2.4 g) waspurified by column chromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm) (eluent:DCM/MeOH 99/1). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent wasevaporated, yielding 1.76 g (78%) of intermediate 93.

c) Preparation of

Methanesulfonyl chloride (0.0133 mol) was added dropwise at 5° c to amixture of intermediate 93 (0.0044 mol) and TEA (0.0177 mol) in DCM (30ml) under N₂ flow. The mixture was stirred for 1 hour, then brought toroom temperature. Ice water was added. The mixture was extracted withDCM. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and thesolvent was evaporated till dryness, yielding 3.43 g (>100%) ofintermediate 94. This product was used without further purification.

d) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 94 (0.0014 mol), pyrrolidine (0.0147 mol) andpotassium carbonate (0.0222 mol) in acetonitrile (20 ml) was stirred andrefluxed for 18 hours. Water was added. The mixture was extracted withDCM/MeOH. The organic layer was separated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, andthe solvent was evaporated till dryness. The residue (1 g) was purifiedby column chromatography over silica gel (70-200 μm) (eluent:DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 95/5/0.1;). The pure fractions were collected and thesolvent was evaporated, yielding 0.4 g (49%) of intermediate 95, meltingpoint 190° C.

e) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 95 (0.0007 mol) and sodium hydroxide (0.0014mol) in EtOH (10 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 3 hours, then cooledto room temperature. The precipitate was filtered, washed with EtOH,then with diethyl ether and dried at 50° C. under a vacuo, yielding 0.35g (88%) of intermediate 96.Na.

f) Preparation of

EDC (0.0008 mol) was added to a mixture of intermediate 96 (0.0006 mol),O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.0008 mol) and1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.0008 mol) in DCM/THF (10 ml) under N₂ flow.The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours. Water wasadded. The mixture was extracted with DCM. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated tilldryness. The residue (0.7 g) was purified by column chromatography oversilica gel (5 μm) (eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 92/8/0.1). The pure fractionswere collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 0.31 g (77%) ofintermediate 97.

EXAMPLE A29

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 30 (0.00021 mol), [1,1′-biphenyl]-4-sulfonylchloride (±0.00032 mol, 1.5 equiv.) and morpholinomethyl-PS-scavenger(supplier: Novabiochem cat No 01-64-0171) (0.150 g) in DCM (5 ml) wasstirred for 20 hours at room temperature, thenTris(2-aminoethyl)amine-PS scavenger (supplier: Novabiochem cat No01-64-0170) (0.150 g) was added and the mixture was stirred for another4 hours, yielding intermediate 98.

b) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 98 (0.00021 mol) in sodium hydroxide 1N (1.5ml), MeOH (1 ml) and THF (4 ml) was stirred at 60° C. for 2 hours, thenstirred at room temperature for 20 hours. The reaction mixture wasneutralized with 1.5 ml HCl 1N. The desired product was collected anddried, yielding intermediate 99.

c) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 99 (0.00021 mol), 1-hydroxy-1H-benzotriazole(0.00014 mol), N′-(ethylcarbonimidoyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine,monohydrochloride (0.00015 mol) andO-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.00015 mol) in TEA (0.025ml) and DCM/THF (10 ml) was stirred overnight at room temperature, thenwater (2 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was filtered throughExtrelut™ NT (supplier: Merck). Isocyanate-PS-resin (supplier: Argonautcat No 800260) (0.100 g) was added and the mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 4 hours, then the resin was filtered off and thefiltrate was evaporated. The residue was purified by columnchromatography on Flashtube™ 2008 (supplier Trikonex) (eluent: DCM/EtOAc1/1). The product fractions were collected and the solvents wereevaporated, yielding intermediate 100.

EXAMPLE A30

a) Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 93 (0.001 mol) and sodium hydroxide (0.004mol) in EtOH (20 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 4 hours, then cooledto room temperature. Diethyl ether was added. The precipitate wasfiltered off and dried, yielding 0.476 g (97%) of intermediate 101.Na.

b) Preparation of

EDC (0.0014 mol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.0014 mol) were added atroom temperature to a solution of intermediate 101 (0.0009 mol) in THF(5 ml) and DCM (5 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for30 minutes. O-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-hydroxylamine (0.0014 mol) wasadded. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 days, pouredout into ice water and extracted with DCM. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. Theresidue (0.62 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel(5 μm) (eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 97/3/0.3;). The pure fractions werecollected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.38 g, 69%) wascrystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off anddried, yielding 0.3 g (54%) of intermediate 102, melting point 214° C.

B. Preparation of the Final Compounds

EXAMPLE B1

N-Fmoc-hydroxylamine 2-chlorotrityl resin (Novabiochem, 01-64-0165) wasdeprotected by 50% piperidine in DMF (RT, 24 hr)¹. The resin was washed²several times with DCM and DMF and swelled in DMF. Two equivalents ofacid³, PyBrOP⁴ and 4 equivalents of DIEA were added as one portion. Themixture was shaken for 24 hr, liquid was drained and the resin waswashed several times by DCM and DMF. The resin was swelled in DMFcontaining 2 equivalents of amine and was shaken 24 hr at RT. The liquidwas drained and the resin was washed by DCM and DMF. An arylsulfonylchloride (2 eq.) was added as one portion to the resin swelled in DMFwith 4 equivalents of TEA. The reaction was stirred overnight, drainedand the resin was washed by DCM and DMF. The final product was cleavedby 5% TFA in DCM, analysed by HPLC and MS and evaporated in thepre-weighted test-tubes. ¹. In one example compound 16 glycinol2-chlorotrityl-resin (Novabiochem, 01-64-0087) was used. In two otherexamples 2-chlorotritylchloride-resin (Novabiochem, 01-64-0114) and1,2-phenylenediamine compound 17 or ethylenediamine compound 18 wereused. In one other examples compound 19 carboxymethanethiol4-methoxytrityl resin (Novabiochem, 01-64-0238) was used.². In somecases also MeOH was used in the different washing procedures compounds16, 17, 18 and 19.³. Based on the loading of the resin.⁴. In some casesPyBrOP was replaced by PyBOP compounds 16, 17, 18 and 19.

For illustrative purposes the scheme hereunder is included.

EXAMPLE B2

Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 3 (0.0027 mol) in DMF (100 ml) was hydrogenated for48 hours at room temperature with Pd/C 10% (0.5 g) as a catalyst. Afteruptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtratewas evaporated. The residue was triturated under DCM, filtered off, thenrecrystallized from HOAc, filtered off, washed with HOAc and ethanol,then dried, yielding 0.75 g (65%) of compound 1.

EXAMPLE B3

Preparation of

Interm. 6 (0.0022 mol) in THF (100 ml) was hydrogenated for 5 hours withPd/C 10% (1 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of H₂ (1 equiv), the catalystwas filtered off over dicalite and the solvent was evaporated. Theresidue was suspended in DCM. The precipitate was filtered off, washedwith a little DCM and dried (vacuum), yielding 0.9 g (100%) of compound2.

EXAMPLE B4

Preparation of

TEA (0.0008 mol) then acetyl chloride (0.0008 mol) were added to amixture of interm. 7 (0.0008 mol) in DCM (5 ml) under N₂ flow. Themixture was kept at room temperature for 30 minutes, poured out intoK₂CO₃ 10%/H₂O and extracted with DCM. The organic layer was separated,dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated till dryness.The residue (0.41 g) was purified by column chromatography over silicagel (eluent: DCM/MeOH 98/2; 10 μm). The pure fractions were collectedand the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.22 g, 66%) wascrystallized from DCM/CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered, washed withdiethyl ether and dried, yielding 0.18 g (54%) of compound 3, meltingpoint 200° C.

EXAMPLE B5

Preparation of

1,1-Carbonyldiimidazole (0.0003 mol) was added at room temperature to asolution of interm. 7 (0.0002 mol) in DCM (1 ml) under N₂ flow. Themixture was kept at room temperature for 1 hour. Hydroxylamine (0.0003mol) was added. The mixture was stirred overnight. K₂CO₃ 10% was added.The mixture was extracted with DCM. The precipitate was filtered, washedwith diethyl ether and dried, yielding 0.034 g (29%) of compound 4,melting point 210° C.

EXAMPLE B6

Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 7 (0.0013 mol), 1-methyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxylicacid (0.002 mol), EDC (0.002 mol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (0.002 mol)in DCM/THF (10 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours, pouredout into K₂CO₃ 10% and extracted with DCM. The organic layer wasseparated, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated tilldryness. The residue (1.3 g) was purified by column chromatography oversilica gel (eluent: DCM/MeOH 98/2; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions werecollected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.25 g, 39%) wastaken up in CH₃CN. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding0.15 g (23%) of compound 5, melting point 252° C.

EXAMPLE B7

Preparation of

TFA (4 ml) was added at 0° C. to a solution of interm. 10 (0.0005 mol)in MeOH (20 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 48hours. The solvent was evaporated till dryness. The residue was taken upin diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding0.195 g (83%) of compound 6, melting point 265° C. Another procedure formaking compound 6:

CF₃COOH (25 ml) was added to a mixture of interm. 33 (0.012 mol) in DCMp.a. (250 ml) and MeOH p.a. (250 ml). The reaction mixture was stirredfor 24 hours at room temperature. The precipitate was filtered off,suspended in hot CH₃CN, then allowed to cool to room temperature whilestirring, then filtered off, washed with CH₃CN, and dried (vacuum, 50°C.), yielding 3.43 g of compound 6. The corresponding filtrate wasconcentrated. The solid residue was suspended in hot CH₃CN, stirred,allowed to cool to room temperature, filtered off and dried (vacuum, 50°C.), yielding 1.22 g of compound 6. Total yielding 4.65 g (94%) ofcompound 6.

EXAMPLE B8

Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 13 (0.000049 mol) in 5% CF₃COOH/MeOH (5 ml) wasshaken for 40 hours at room temperature. The solvent was evaporatedunder a stream of N₂, at room temperature. DCM was added, and thenevaporated again. Dioxane was added, and then evaporated again under astream of N₂, at room temperature. DCM was added and the solvent wasevaporated at 30° C. under a stream of N₂. The residue was dried overthe weekend at 40° C. in vacuo, yielding 0.024 g of compound 7.

EXAMPLE B9

Preparation of

A mixture of interm. 17 (0.00018 mol) in 5% CF₃COOH/MeOH (6 ml) wasstirred over the weekend at room temperature. The mixture was blown dryunder a gentle stream of N₂. The residue was suspended in EtOAc, thenfiltered off and dried in vacuo, yielding 0.0222 g of compound 8.

EXAMPLE B10

Preparation of

Methanesulfonic acid (1.5 ml) was added at room temperature to a mixtureof interm. 20 (0.0018 mol) in MeOH (15 ml). The mixture was kept for 18hours. Ice was added. The mixture was basified with K₂CO₃ 10% andextracted with DCM. The organic layer was washed with water, dried(MgSO₄), filtered and the solvent was evaporated till dryness. Theresidue (1.1 g) was crystallized from DCM/MeOH. The precipitate wasfiltered off and dried, yielding 0.68 g (76%) of compound 9 (Econfiguration), melting point. 226° C.

EXAMPLE B11

Preparation of

Ethanethioic acid (0.0023 mol) was added at 0° C. to a mixture ofinterm. 22 (0.0021 mol) and TEA (0.0032 mol) in 2-propanone (10 ml). Themixture was brought to room temperature, and then stirred for 2 hours.Water was added. The mixture was extracted with DCM. The organic layerwas washed twice with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solventwas evaporated. The residue (0.85 g) was purified by columnchromatography over silica gel (eluent: cyclohexane/EtOAc 70/30; 10 μm).The fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residuewas crystallized from diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered offand dried, yielding 0.088 g (10%) of compound 10, melting point 179° C.

EXAMPLE B12

Preparation of

CF₃COOH (0.7 ml) was added to a solution of interm. 25 (0.0007 mol) inMeOH (7 ml) and DCM (7 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperatureovernight. The precipitate was filtered, washed with diethyl ether anddried. The residue (0.23 g, 68%) was dried again, yielding 0.194 g (57%)of compound 11, melting point 196° C.

EXAMPLE B13

Preparation of

CF₃COOH (2.6 ml) was added to a solution of interm. 28 (0.0005 mol) inMeOH (12 ml) and DCM (10 ml). The mixture was stirred at 24° C.overnight. The solvent was evaporated till dryness. The residue wascrystallized from DCM/diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered offand dried, yielding 0.124 g (49%) of compound 12, melting point 197° C.

EXAMPLE B14

Preparation of

EDC (0.0026 mol) and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate (0.0023 mol) wereadded at room temperature to a solution of interm. 32 (0.0017 mol) andTEA (0.0021 mol) in DMF (14 ml). The mixture was stirred for 1 hour.1,2-Benzenediamine (0.0021 mol) was added. The mixture was stirred atroom temperature overnight, then at 60° C. for 3 hours, poured out intoice water and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated,dried (MgSO₄), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue(0.9 g) was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent:DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH 97/3/0.1; 15-40 μm). The pure fractions were collectedand the solvent was evaporated. The residue (0.45 g) was crystallizedfrom diethyl ether. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding0.414 g (48%) of compound 13, melting point 238° C.

EXAMPLE B15

Preparation of

CF₃COOH (0.2 ml) was added at 0° C. to a mixture of interm 36 (0.0005mol) in MeOH (1 ml) and DCM (1 ml). The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 24 hours. The solvent was evaporated till dryness,yielding 0.0174 g (89%) of compound 14.

EXAMPLE B16

Preparation of

Interm. 40.(0.0903 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (2 ml) and MeOH (3 ml).Trifluoroacetic acid (250 μl) was added. The mixture was stirred for 2days at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated at room temperatureunder N₂-blow. Two times dioxane was added. The products were blowed anddried at 40° C. under N₂-blow, yielding compound 15.

EXAMPLE B17

Preparation of

Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.0002 mol) and potassium carbonate (0.0056 mol) were addedto a mixture of intermediate 41(0.0028 mol) in EtOH (22 ml) and DMF (22ml). The mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 48 hours under a 5 barpressure of CO, then taken up in EtOAc/H₂O and filtered over celite. Theorganic layer was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄), filtered and thesolvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by columnchromatography over silica gel (15-40 μm) (eluent: DCM/MeOH/NH₄OH98/2/0.1). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent wasevaporated, yielding 0.27 g (23%) of compound 113, melting point 200° C.

EXAMPLE B18

Preparation of

TFA (0.5 ml) was added at 0° C. to a mixture of intermediate 46 (S,S)(0.0006 mol) in MeOH (10 ml). The mixture was brought to roomtemperature, then stirred for 12 hours. TFA was added again. The mixturewas stirred at room temperature for 72 hours. The precipitate wasfiltered, washed with MeOH, then with diethyl ether and dried. Theresidue (0.276 g) was dried at 60° C. for 4 hours, yielding 0.258 g,then dried at 75° C. for 8 hours, and then taken up in DCM and stirredat room temperature. The precipitate was filtered, washed with diethylether and dried, yielding 0.158 g (56%) of compound 114 (S,S).

EXAMPLE B19

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 49 (0.0001 mol) in TFA (2 ml), MeOH (4 ml) andDCM (3 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 19 days. The solvent wasevaporated. The residue was crystallized from diethyl ether. Theprecipitate was filtered, yielding yielding 0.0852 g (85%) of compound115, melting point 135° C.

EXAMPLE B20

Preparation of

TFA (10 ml) was added at 0° C. to a solution of intermediate 52 (0.0051mol) in MeOH (50 ml) and DCM (50 ml). The mixture was stirred at roomtemperature for 48 hours. The precipitate was filtered, washed withdiethyl ether and dried, yielding 2.07 g (97%) of compound 116, meltingpoint 249° C.

EXAMPLE B21

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 55 (0.00003 mol) in TFA (0.5 ml), MeOH (3 ml)and DCM (2 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 5 days. The solventwas evaporated till dryness, yielding 0.017 g (62%) of compound 117. 2C₂HF₃O₂, melting point 80° C.

EXAMPLE B22

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 60 (0.0022 mol) in TFA (3 ml), MeOH (10 ml)and DCM (10 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. Diethylether was added. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 1g (97%) of compound 118, melting point 210° C.

EXAMPLE B23

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 62 (0.0024 mol) in TFA (5 ml), MeOH (22 ml)and DCM (10 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 8 days, thenfiltered. The precipitate was discarded and the filtrate was evaporated.The residue (1.4 g) was crystallized from DCM/MeOH/CH₃CN/diethyl ether.The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.388 g (36%) ofcompound 119, melting point 225° C. (purity: 90%).

EXAMPLE B24

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 65 (0.0004 mol) in TFA (2 ml), MeOH (20 ml)and DCM (10 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 72 hours. Thesolvent was evaporated. Diethyl ether was added. The precipitate wasfiltered off and dried, yielding 0.19 g (94%) of compound 120, meltingpoint >260° C.

EXAMPLE B25

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 71 (0.0003 mol) in TFA (1 ml) and MeOH (10 ml)was stirred at room temperature for 4 days. The precipitate wasfiltered, washed with Me0H, then with diethyl ether and dried, yielding0.096 g (72%) of compound 121, melting point 220° C.

EXAMPLE B26

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 75 (0.0003 mol) in TFA (2 ml) and MeOH (5 ml)was stirred at room temperature for 72 hours. The precipitate wasfiltered, washed with diethyl ether and dried, yielding 0.112 g (63%) ofcompound 122, melting point 166° C.

EXAMPLE B27

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 79 (0.0009 mol) in TFA (0.5 ml) and MeOH (5ml) was stirred at room temperature for 48 hours then evaporated tilldryness. The residue was taken up in MeOH/diethyl ether. The precipitatewas filtered off and dried, yielding 0.42 g (82%) of compound 123.C₂HF₃O₂, melting point 114° C.

EXAMPLE B28

Preparation of

Intermediate 84(0.000852 mol) was stirred in TFA (5% in MeOH/DCM) (40ml) for 3 days, then the resulting precipitate was filtered off anddried (vac., 50° C.), yielding 0.316 g (60%) of compound 124. C₂HF₃O₂,melting point 192° C.

EXAMPLE B29

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 87 (0.00121 mol) in TFA (5% in MeOH) (60 ml)was stirred for 6 days at room temperature (after 4 days 0.25 ml TFA wasadded) and the solvent was evaporated (vac.) at room temperature. Theresidue was crystallised from EtOAc by reflux, the resulting precipitatewas filtered off and dried (vac.), yielding 0.356 g (44.2%) of compound125. 0.2 H₂O.C₂HF₃O₂, melting point 146.9° C.

EXAMPLE B30

Preparation of

Intermediate 91 (0.00096 mol) was stirred in TFA (40 ml, 5% in DCM/MeOH)at room temperature for 4 days and the solvent was partly evaporated(vac.) at room temperature. Precipitation resulted in the concentrateand the precipitate was filtered off, then dried (vac., 50° C.),yielding 0.455 g (78%) of compound 126. C₂HF₃O₂, melting point 190.7° C.

EXAMPLE B31

Preparation of

TFA (0.5 ml) was added to a mixture of intermediate 97 (0.0004 mol) inMeOH (10 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours.The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.22 g (66%) ofcompound 127. 1.16 C₂HF₃O₂, melting point 243° C.

EXAMPLE B32

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 100 (0.00021 mol) in TFA(5 ml, 5% in MeOH) andDCM (1 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 48 hours, then thesolvent was evaporated, yielding compound 128.

EXAMPLE B33

Preparation of

A mixture of intermediate 102 (0.0005 mol) in TFA (1.2 ml), MeOH (10 ml)and DCM (2 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 3 days. Diethyl etherwas added. The precipitate was filtered off and dried, yielding 0.232 g(94%) of compound 129, melting point >260° C.

Table F-1 lists the compounds that were prepared according to one of theabove Examples. The following abbreviations were used in the tables:Co.No. stands for Compound Number, Ex. [Bn°] referred to the same methodas described in the Bn° examples, C₂HF₃O₂ stands for thetrifluoroacetate salt. Some compounds have been characterized viamelting point (mp.), other compounds were characterized via MassSpectral data [MH⁺] (ms.).

TABLE F-1

C. Pharmacological Example

The in vitro assay for inhibition of histone deacetylase (see exampleC.1) measures the inhibition of HDAC enzymatic activity obtained withthe compounds of formula (I).

Cellular activity of the compounds of formula (I) was determined onA2780 tumour cells using a colorimetric assay for cell toxicity orsurvival (Mosmann Tim, Journal of Immunological Methods 65: 55-63,1983)(see example C.2).

Kinetic solubility in aqueous media measures the ability of a compoundto stay in aqueous solution upon dilution (see example C.3).

DMSO-stock solutions are diluted with a single aqueous buffer solvent in3 consecutive steps. For every dilution turbidity is measured with anephelometer.

A drug's permeability expresses its ability to move from one medium intoor through another. Specifically its ability to move through theintestinal membrane into the blood stream and/or from the blood streaminto the target. Permeability (see example C.4) can be measured throughthe formation of a filter-immobilized artificial membrane phospholipidbilayer. In the filter-immobilized artificial membrane assay, a“sandwich” is formed with a 96-well microtitre plate and a 96-wellfilter plate, such that each composite well is divided into two chamberswith a donor solution at the bottom and an acceptor solution at the top,separated by a 125 μm micro-filter disc (0.45 μm pores), coated with 2%(wt/v) dodecane solution of dioleoylphosphatidyl-choline, underconditions that multi-lamellar bilayers form inside the filter channelswhen the system contacts an aqueous buffer solution. The permeability ofcompounds through this artificial membrane is measured in cm/s. Thepurpose is to look for the permeation of the drugs through a parallelartificial membrane at 2 different pH's: 4.0 and 7.4. Compound detectionis done with UV-spectrometry at optimal wavelength between 250 and 500nm.

Metabolism of drugs means that a lipid-soluble xenobiotic or endobioticcompound is enzymatically transformed into (a) polar, water-soluble, andexcretable metabolite(s). The major organ for drug metabolism is theliver. The metabolic products are often less active than the parent drugor inactive. However, some metabolites may have enhanced activity ortoxic effects. Thus drug metabolism may include both “detoxication” and“toxication” processes. One of the major enzyme systems that determinethe organism's capability of dealing with drugs and chemicals isrepresented by the cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, which are NADPHdependent enzymes. Metabolic stability of compounds can be determined invitro with the use of subcellular human tissue (see example C.5). Heremetabolic stability of the compounds is expressed as % of drugmetabolised after 15 minutes incubation of these compounds withmicrosomes. Quantitation of the compounds was determined by LC-MSanalysis.

The tumour suppressor p53 transcriptionally activates a number of genesincluding the WAF1/CIP1 gene in response to DNA damage. The 21 kDaproduct of the WAF1 gene is found in a complex involving cyclins, cyclindependent kinases (CDKs), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)in normal cells but not transformed cells and appears to be a universalinhibitor of CDK activity. One consequence of p21WAF1 binding to andinhibiting CDKs is to prevent CDK-dependent phosphorylation andsubsequent inactivation of the Rb protein, which is essential for cellcycle progression. Induction of p21WAF1 in response to cellular contactwith a HDAC inhibitor is therefore a potent and specific indicator ofinhibition of cell cycle progression at both the G1 and G2 checkpoints.

The capacity of the compounds to induce p21WAF1 was measured with thep21WAF1 enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (WAF1 ELISA of Oncogene). Thep21WAF1 assay is a “sandwich” enzyme immunoassay employing both mousemonoclonal and rabbit polyclonal antibodies. A rabbit polyclonalantibody, specific for the human WAF1 protein, has been immobilized ontothe surface of the plastic wells provided in the kit. Any p21WAF presentin the sample to be assayed will bind to the capture antibody. Thebiotinylated detector monoclonal antibody also recognizes human p21WAF1protein, and will bind to any p21WAF1, which has been retained by thecapture antibody. The detector antibody, in turn, is bound byhorseradish peroxidas-conjugated streptavidin. The horseradishperoxidase catalyses the conversion of the chromogenic substratetetra-methylbenzidine from a colorless solution to a blue solution (oryellow after the addition of stopping reagent), the intensity of whichis proportional to the amount of p21WAF1 protein bound to the plate. Thecolored reaction product is quantified using a spectrophotometer.Quantitation is achieved by the construction of a standard curve usingknown concentrations of p21WAF1 (provided lyophilised)(see example C.6).

Specific HDAC inhibitors should not inhibit other enzymes like theabundant CYP P450 proteins. The CYP P450 (E. coli expressed) proteins3A4, 2D6 en 2C9 convert their specific substrates into a fluorescentmolecule. The CYP3A4 protein converts 7-benzyloxy-trifluoromethylcoumarin (BFC) into 7-hydroxy-trifluoromethyl coumarin. The CYP2D6protein converts3-[2-(N,N-diethyl-N-methylamino)ethyl]-7-methoxy-4-methylcoumarin (AMMC)into 3-[2-(N,N-diethylamino)ethyl]-7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarinhydrochloride and the CYP2C9 protein converts7-Methoxy-4-trifluoromethyl coumarin (MFC) into7-hydroxy-trifluoromethyl coumarin. Compounds inhibiting the enzymaticreaction will result in a decrease of fluoresent signal (see exampleC.7).

EXAMPLE C.1 In vitro Assay for Inhibition of Histone Deacetylase

HeLa nuclear extracts (supplier: Biomol) were incubated at 60 μg/ml with2×10⁻⁸ M of radiolabeled peptide substrate. As a substrate for measuringHDAC activity a synthetic peptide, i.e. the amino acids 14-21 of histoneH4, was used. The substrate is biotinylated at the NH₂-terminal partwith a 6-aminohexanoic acid spacer, and is protected at theCOOH-terminal part by an amide group and specifically [³H]acetylated atlysine 16. The substrate,biotin-(6-aminohexanoic)Gly-Ala-([³H]-acetyl-Lys-Arg-His-Arg-Lys-Val-NH₂),was added in a buffer containing 25 mM Hepes, 1 M sucrose, 0.1 mg/ml BSAand 0.01% Triton X-100 at pH 7.4. After 30 min the deacetylationreaction was terminated by the addition of HCl and acetic acid. (finalconcentration 0.035 mM and 3.8 mM respectively). After stopping thereaction, the free ³H-acetate was extracted with ethylacetate. Aftermixing and centrifugation, the radioactivity in an aliquot of the upper(organic) phase was counted in a β-counter.

For each experiment, controls (containing HeLa nuclear extract and DMSOwithout compound), a blank incubation (containing DMSO but no HeLanuclear extract or compound) and samples (containing compound dissolvedin DMSO and HeLa nuclear extract) were run in parallel. In firstinstance, compounds were tested at a concentration of 10⁻⁵M. When thecompounds showed activity at 10⁻⁵M, a concentration-response curve wasmade wherein the compounds were tested at concentrations between 10⁻⁵Mand 10⁻¹²M. In each test the blank value was substracted from both thecontrol and the sample values. The control sample represented 100% ofsubstrate deactylation. For each sample the radioactivity was expressedas a percentage of the mean value of the controls. When appropriateIC₅₀-values (concentration of the drug, needed to reduce the amount ofmetabolites to 50% of the control) were computed using probit analysisfor graded data. Herein the effects of test compounds are expressed aspIC₅₀ (the negative log value of the IC₅₀-value). All tested compoundsshowed enzymatic activity at a test concentration of 10⁻⁵M and 144compounds had a pIC₅₀≧5 (see table F-2).

EXAMPLE C.2 Determination of Antiproliferative Activity on A2780 Cells

All compounds tested were dissolved in DMSO and further dilutions weremade in culture medium. Final DMSO concentrations never exceeded 0.1%(v/v) in cell proliferation assays. Controls contained A2780 cells andDMSO without compound and blanks contained DMSO but no cells. MTT wasdissolved at 5 mg/ml in PBS. A glycine buffer comprised of 0.1 M glycineand 0.1 M NaCl buffered to pH 10.5 with NaOH (1 N) was prepared (allreagents were from Merck).

The human A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells (a kind gift from Dr. T. C.Hamilton [Fox Chase Cancer Centre, Pennsylvania, USA]) were cultured inRPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine, 50 μg/ml gentamicinand 10% fetal calf serum. Cells were routinely kept as monolayercultures at 37° C. in a humidified 5% CO₂ atmosphere. Cells werepassaged once a week using a trypsin/EDTA solution at a split ratio of1:40. All media and supplements were obtained from Life Technologies.Cells were free of mycoplasma contamination as determined using theGen-Probe Mycoplasma Tissue Culture kit (supplier: BioMerieux).

Cells were seeded in NUNC™ 96-well culture plates (Supplier: LifeTechnologies) and allowed to adhere to the plastic overnight. Densitiesused for plating were 1500 cells per well in a total volume of 200 μlmedium. After cell adhesion to the plates, medium was changed and drugsand/or solvents were added to a final volume of 200 μl. Following fourdays of incubation, medium was replaced by 200 μl fresh medium and celldensity and viability was assessed using an MTT-based assay. To eachwell, 25 μl MTT solution was added and the cells were further incubatedfor 2 hours at 37° C. The medium was then carefully aspirated and theblue MTT-formazan product was solubilized by addition of 25 μl glycinebuffer followed by 100 μl of DMSO. The microtest plates were shaken for10 min on a microplate shaker and the absorbance at 540 nm was measuredusing an Emax 96-well spectrophotometer (Supplier: Sopachem). Within anexperiment, the results for each experimental condition are the mean of3 replicate wells. For initial screening purposes, compounds were testedat a single fixed concentration of 10⁻⁶ M. For active compounds, theexperiments were repeated to establish full concentration-responsecurves. For each experiment, controls (containing no drug) and a blankincubation (containing no cells or drugs) were run in parallel. Theblank value was subtracted from all control and sample values. For eachsample, the mean value for cell growth (in absorbance units) wasexpressed as a percentage of the mean value for cell growth of thecontrol. When appropriate, IC₅₀-values (concentration of the drug,needed to reduce cell growth to 50% of the control) were computed usingprobit analysis for graded data (Finney, D. J., Probit Analyses, 2^(nd)Ed. Chapter 10, Graded Responses, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge1962). Herein the effects of test compounds are expressed as pIC₅₀ (thenegative log value of the IC₅₀-value). Most of the tested compoundsshowed cellular activity at a test concentration of 10⁻⁶ M and 129compounds had a pIC₅₀≧5 (see table F-2)

EXAMPLE C.3 Kinetic Solubility in Aqueous Media

In the first dilution step, 10 μl of a concentrated stock-solution ofthe active compound, solubilized in DMSO (5 mM), was added to 100 μlphosphate citrate buffer pH 7.4 and mixed. In the second dilution step,an aliquot (20 μl) of the first dilution step was further dispensed in100 μl phosphate citrate buffer pH 7.4 and mixed. Finally, in the thirddilution step, a sample (20 μl) of the second dilution step was furtherdiluted in 100 μl phosphate citrate buffer pH 7.4 and mixed. Alldilutions were performed in 96-well plates Immediately after the lastdilution step the turbidity of the three consecutive dilution steps weremeasured with a nephelometer. Dilution was done in triplicate for eachcompound to exclude occasional errors. Based on the turbiditymeasurements a ranking is performed into 3 classes. Compounds with highsolubility obtained a score of 3 and for this compounds the firstdilution is clear. Compounds with medium solubility obtained a score of2. For these compounds the first dilution is unclear and the seconddilution is clear. Compounds with low solubility obtained a score of 1and for these compounds both the first and the second dilution areunclear. The solubility of 112 compounds was measured. From thesecompounds 42 showed a score of 3, thirty-two had a score of 2 and 38demonstrated a score of 1 (see table F-2).

EXAMPLE C.4 Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeability Analysis

The stock samples (aliquots of 10 μl of a stock solution of 5 mM in 100%DMSO) were diluted in a deep-well or Pre-mix plate containing 2 ml of anaqueous buffer system pH 4 or pH 7.4 (PSR4 System Solution Concentrate(pION)).

Before samples were added to the reference plate, 150 μl of buffer wasadded to wells and a blank UV-measurement was performed. Thereafter thebuffer was discarded and the plate was used as reference plate. Allmeasurements were done in UV-resistant plates (supplier: Costar orGreiner).

After the blank measurement of the reference plate, 150 μl of thediluted samples was added to the reference plate and 200 μl of thediluted samples was added to donorplate 1. An acceptor filter plate 1(supplier: Millipore, type:MAIP N45) was coated with 4 μl of theartificial membrane-forming solution(1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-Glycer-3-Phosphocholine in Dodecane containing 0.1%2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol and placed on top of donor plate 1 toform a “sandwich”. Buffer (200 μl) was dispensed into the acceptor wellson the top. The sandwich was covered with a lid and stored for 18 h atroom temperature in the dark.

A blank measurement of acceptor plate 2 was performed through theaddition of 150 μl of buffer to the wells, followed by anUV-measurement. After the blank measurement of acceptor plate 2 thebuffer was discarded and 150 μl of acceptor solution was transferredfrom the acceptor filter plate 1 to the acceptor plate 2. Then theacceptor filter plate 1 was removed form the sandwich. After the blankmeasurement of donor plate 2 (see above), 150 μl of the donor solutionwas transferred from donor plate 1 to donor plate 2. The UV spectra ofthe donor plate 2, acceptor plate 2 and reference plate wells werescanned (with a SpectraMAX 190). All the spectra were processed tocalculate permeability with the PSR4p Command Software. All compoundswere measured in triplo. Carbamazepine, griseofulvin, acycloguanisine,atenolol, furosemide, and chlorothiazide were used as standards in eachexperiment. Compounds were ranked in 3 categories as having a lowpermeability (mean effect<0.5×10⁻⁶ cm/s; score 1), a medium permeability(1×10⁻⁶ cm/s>mean effect≧0.5×10⁻⁶ cm/s; score 2) or a high permeability(≧0.5×10⁻⁶ cm/s; score 3). Fourteen of the 22 tested compounds showed atleast a score of 3 at one of both pH's measured. Three compounds showedat least a score of 2 at one of the pH's measured and 5 compounds showedonly a score of 1 at one of the pH's measured.

EXAMPLE C.5 Metabolic Stability

Sub-cellular tissue preparations were made according to Gorrod et al.(Xenobiotica 5: 453-462, 1975) by centrifugal separation aftermechanical homogenization of tissue. Liver tissue was rinsed in ice-cold0.1 M Tris-HCl (pH 7.4) buffer to wash excess blood. Tissue was thenblotted dry, weighed and chopped coarsely using surgical scissors. Thetissue pieces were homogenized in 3 volumes of ice-cold 0.1 M phosphatebuffer (pH 7.4) using either a Potter-S (Braun, Italy) equipped with aTeflon pestle or a Sorvall Omni-Mix homogeniser, for 7×10 sec. In bothcases, the vessel was kept in/on ice during the homogenization process.

Tissue homogenates were centrifuged at 9000×g for 20 minutes at 4° C.using a Sorvall centrifuge or Beckman Ultracentrifuge. The resultingsupernatant was stored at −80° C. and is designated ‘S9’.

The S9 fraction can be further centrifuged at 100.000×g for 60 minutes(4° C.) using a Beckman ultracentrifuge. The resulting supernatant wascarefully aspirated, aliquoted and designated ‘cytosol’. The pellet wasre-suspended in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) in a final volume of 1ml per 0.5 g original tissue weight and designated ‘microsomes’.

All sub-cellular fractions were aliquoted, immediately frozen in liquidnitrogen and stored at −80° C. until use.

For the samples to be tested, the incubation mixture contained PBS(0.1M), compound (5 μM), microsomes (1 mg/ml) and a NADPH-generatingsystem (0.8 mM glucose-6-phosphate, 0.8 mM magnesium chloride and 0.8Units of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase). Control samples containedthe same material but the microsomes were replaced by heat inactivated(10 min at 95 degrees Celsius) microsomes. Recovery of the compounds inthe control samples was always 100%.

The mixtures were preincubated for 5 min at 37 degrees Celsius. Thereaction was started at timepoint zero (t=0) by addition of 0.8 mM NADPand the samples were incubated for 15 min (t=15). The reaction wasterminated by the addition of 2 volumes of DMSO. Then the samples werecentrifuged for 10 min at 900×g and the supernatants were stored at roomtemperature for no longer as 24 h before analysis. All incubations wereperformed in duplo. Analysis of the supernatants was performed withLC-MS analysis. Elution of the samples was performed on a Xterra MS C18(50×4.6 mm, 5 μm, Waters, US). An Alliance 2790 (Supplier: Waters, US)HPLC system was used. Elution was with buffer A (25 mM ammoniumacetate(pH 5.2) in H₂O/acetonitrile (95/5)), solvent B being acetonitrile andsolvent C methanol at a flow rate of 2.4 ml/min. The gradient employedwas increasing the organic phase concentration from 0% over 50% B and50% C in 5 min up to 100% B in 1 min in a linear fashion and organicphase concentration was kept stationary for an additional 1.5 min. Totalinjection volume of the samples was 25 μl.

A Quattro (supplier: Micromass, Manchester, UK) triple quadrupole massspectrometer fitted with and ESI source was used as detector. The sourceand the desolvation temperature were set at 120 and 350° C. respectivelyand nitrogen was used as nebuliser and drying gas. Data were acquired inpositive scan mode (single ion reaction). Cone voltage was set at 10 Vand the dwell time was 1 sec.

Metabolic stability was expressed as % metabolism of the compound after15 min of incubation in the presence of active microsomes

$\left( {E({act})} \right){\begin{pmatrix}{{\%\mspace{14mu}{metabolism}} = {{100\%} -}} \\\left( {\left( \frac{{{Total}\mspace{14mu}{Ion}\mspace{14mu}{Current}\mspace{14mu}({TIC})\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{E({act})}\mspace{14mu}{at}\mspace{14mu} t} = 15}{{{TIC}\mspace{14mu}{of}\mspace{14mu}{E({act})}\mspace{14mu}{at}\mspace{14mu} t} = 0} \right) \times 100} \right.\end{pmatrix}.}$Compounds that had a percentage metabolism less than 20% were defined ashighly metabolic stable. Compound that had a metabolism between 20 and70% were defined as intermediately stable and compounds that showed apercentage metabolism higher than 70 were defined as low metabolicstable. Three reference compounds were always included whenever ametabolic stability screening was performed. Verapamil was included as acompound with low metabolic stability (% metabolism=73%). Cisapride wasincluded as a compound with medium metabolic stability (% metabolism45%) and propanol was included as a compound with intermediate to highmetabolic stability (25% metabolism). These reference compounds wereused to validate the metabolic stability assay.

Twenty-eight compounds were tested. Fourteen compounds had a percentagemetabolism less than 20% and fourteen compounds had a percentagemetabolism between 20 and 70%.

EXAMPLE C.6 p21 Induction Capacity

The following protocol has been applied to determine the p21 proteinexpression level in human A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells. The A2780 cells(20000 cells/180 μl) were seeded in 96 microwell plates in RPMI 1640medium supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine, 50 μg/ml gentamicin and 10%fetal calf serum. 24 hours before the lysis of the cells, compounds wereadded at final concentrations of 10⁻⁵, 10⁻⁶, 10⁻⁷ and 10⁻⁸ M. Allcompounds tested were dissolved in DMSO and further dilutions were madein culture medium. 24 hours after the addition of the compound, thesupernatants were removed from the cells. Cells were washed with 200 μlice-cold PBS. The wells were aspirated and 30 μl of lysisbuffer (50 mMTris.HCl (pH 7.6), 150 mM NaCl, 1% Nonidet p40 and 10% glycerol) wasadded. The plates were incubated overnight at −70° C.

The appropriate number of microtiter wells were removed from the foilpouch and placed into an empty well holder. A working solution (1×) ofthe Wash Buffer (20× plate wash concentrate: 100 ml 20-fold concentratedsolution of PBS and surfactant. Contains 2% chloroacetamide) wasprepared. The lyophilised p21WAF standard was reconstituted withdistilled H₂O and further diluted with sample diluent (provided in thekit)

The samples were prepared by diluting them 1:4 in sample diluent. Thesamples (100 μl) and the p21WAF1 standards (100 μl) were pipetted intothe appropriate wells and incubated at room temperature for 2 hours. Thewells were washed 3 times with 1× wash buffer and then 100 μl ofdetector antibody reagent (a solution of biotinylated monoclonal p21WAF1antibody) was pipetted into each well. The wells were incubated at roomtemperature for 1 hour and then washed three times with 1× wash buffer.The 400× conjugate (peroxidase streptavidine conjugate: 400-foldconcentrated solution) was diluted and 100 μl of the 1× solution wasadded to the wells. The wells were incubated at room temperature for 30min and then washed 3 times with 1× wash buffer and 1 time withdistilled H₂O. Substrate solution (chromogenic substrate)(100 μl) wasadded to the wells and the wells were incubated for 30 minutes in thedark at room temperature. Stop solution was added to each well in thesame order as the previously added substrate solution. The absorbance ineach well was measured using a spectrophotometric plate reader at dualwavelengths of 450/595 nm.

For each experiment, controls (containing no drug) and a blankincubation (containing no cells or drugs) were run in parallel. Theblank value was substracted from all control and sample values. For eachsample, the value for p21WAF1 induction (in absorbance units) wasexpressed as the percentage of the value for p21WAF1 present in thecontrol. Percentage induction higher than 130% was defined assignificant induction. Seventhy-nine compounds were tested in thisassay. Sixty-six showed significant induction.

EXAMPLE C.7 P450 Inhibiting Capacity

All compounds tested were dissolved in DMSO (5 mM) and a furtherdilution to 5 10⁻⁴ M was made in acetonitrile. Further dilutions weremade in assay buffer (0.1M NaK phosphate buffer pH 7.4) and the finalsolvent concentration was never higher than 2%.

The assay for the CYP3A4 protein comprises per well 15 pmol P450/mgprotein (in 0.01M NaKphosphate buffer+1.15% KCl), an NADPH generatingsystem (3.3 mM Glucose-6-phosphate, 0.4 U/ml Glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase, 1.3 mM NADP and 3.3 mM MgCl₂.6H₂O in assay buffer) andcompound in a total assay volume of 100 μl. After a 5 min pre-incubationat 37° C. the enzymatic reaction was started with the addition of 150 μMof the fluoresent probe substrate BFC in assay buffer. After anincubation of 30 minutes at room temperature the reaction was terminatedafter addition of 2 volumes of acetonitrile. Fluorescent determinationswere carried out at an excitation wavelength of 405 nm and an emissionwavelength of 535 nm. Ketoconazole (IC₅₀-value=3×10⁻⁸M) was included asreference compound in this experiment. The assay for the CYP2D6 proteincomprises per well 6 pmol P450/mg protein (in 0.01M NaKphosphatebuffer+1.15% KCl), an NADPH generating system (0.41 mMGlucose-6-phosphate, 0.4 U/ml Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 0.0082mM NADP and 0.41 mM MgCl₂.6H₂O in assay buffer) and compound in a totalassay volume of 100 μl. After a 5 min pre-incubation at 37° C. theenzymatic reaction was started with the addition of 3 μM of thefluoresent probe substrate AMMC in assay buffer. After an incubation of45 minutes at room temperature the reaction was terminated afteraddition of 2 volumes of acetonitrile. Fluorescent determinations werecarried out at an excitation wavelength of 405 nm and an emissionwavelength of 460 nm. Quinidine (IC₅₀-value<5×10⁻⁸M) was included asreference compound in this experiment.

The assay for the CYP2C9 protein comprises per well 15 pmol P450/mgprotein (in 0.01M NaKphosphate buffer+1.15% KCl), an NADPH generatingsystem (3.3 mM Glucose-6-phosphate, 0.4 U/ml Glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase, 1.3 mM NADP and 3.3 mM MgCl₂.6H₂O in assay buffer) andcompound in a total assay volume of 100 μl. After a 5 min pre-incubationat 37° C. the enzymatic reaction was started with the addition of 200 μMof the fluoresent probe substrate MFC in assay buffer. After anincubation of 30 minutes at room temperature the reaction was terminatedafter addition of 2 volumes of acetonitrile. Fluorescent determinationswere carried out at an excitation wavelength of 405 nm and an emissionwavelength of 535 nm. Sulfaphenazole (IC₅₀-value=6.8×10⁻⁷M) was includedas reference compound in this experiment.

For initial screening purposes, compounds were tested at a single fixedconcentration of 1×10⁻⁶ M. For active compounds, the experiments wererepeated to establish full concentration-response curves. For eachexperiment, controls (containing no drug) and a blank incubation(containing no enzyme or drugs) were run in parallel. All compounds wereassayed in quadruplicate. The blank value was subtracted from allcontrol and sample values. For each sample, the mean value of P450activity of the sample (in relative fluorescence units) was expressed asa percentage of the mean value of P450 activity of the control.Percentage inhibition was expressed as 100% minus the mean value of P450activity of the sample. When appropriate, IC₅₀-values (concentration ofthe drug, needed to reduce P450 activity to 50% of the control) werecalculated. Four compounds were analysed in this assay. For only onecompound an IC₅₀-value of 7.9×10⁻⁶ M could be determined with the CYP3A4protein.

EXAMPLE C.8 A 2780 Mouse Xenograft Model

Immunodeficient mice were injected subcutaneously with A 2780 ovariumcarcinoma cells (10⁷ cells/200 μl/mouse). Subsequently they were orallytreated with 10, 20 and 40 mpk of compound once daily between day 4 andday 32. The compound was dissolved in 0.9% NaCl, 20% β-cyclodextrine. Onday 32 tumours were harvested and individual tumour weight of each mousewas determined Each experiment included 10 mice.

Two independent A2780 xenograft study dosing compound No 6orally at 10,20, and 40 mpk once daily showed a strong antitumoural effect at alldoses, with a maximal inhibition once at 20 mpk, and once at 40 mpk.

TABLE F-2 Table F-2 lists the results of the compounds that were testedaccording to example C.1, C.2, and C.3. Enzyme Cellular activityactivity Solubility Co. No. pIC50 pIC50 Score 1 6.482 <5 2 7.147 5.713 13 <5 <5 1 4 <5 <5 2 5 <5 <5 6 8.186 7.336 2 7 <5 8 7.587 5.642 3 9 <55.411 10 6.7 <5 1 11 <5 5.995 12 <5 5.086 13 <5 6.355 1 14 6.621 5.237 315 7.332 6.971 2 16 <5 <5 17 <5 6.117 1 18 <5 5.389 1 19 <5 <5 1 20 >521 6.38 22 <5 23 >5 24 >5 26 >5 28 5.265 29 >5 30 >5 32 5.835 33 >5 375.624 42 >5 43 >5 44 >5 49 >5 52 >5 55 >5 56 <5 57 >5 58 >5 60 6.2475.344 3 61 6.255 5.555 2 62 5.409 6.416 1 63 6.215 5.731 1 64 5.753 5.053 65 5.775 <5 3 66 6.197 5.877 1 67 5.177 6.068 1 68 6.908 5.911 1 695.978 <5 3 70 5.914 5.391 3 71 6.449 5.608 3 72 6.346 6.026 1 73 6.2125.402 1 74 5.841 5.584 2 75 <5 5.163 76 6.227 5.867 1 77 5.937 5.149 786.306 5.904 2 79 6.238 5.368 1 80 5.961 5.909 1 81 6.873 5.887 1 825.821 5.968 3 83 6.157 5.886 1 84 <5 <5 85 <5 <5 86 <5 <5 87 <5 <5 886.481 5.547 3 89 6.423 5.217 90 7.467 5.953 3 91 7.688 6.106 3 92 7.8766.141 93 7.464 6.342 3 94 7.497 6.661 2 95 7.363 5.957 3 96 7.49 6.475 397 7.938 6.903 98 7.054 6.448 2 99 7.316 6.617 3 100 8.171 7.237 2 1016.671 6.994 102 7.162 6.452 2 103 7.586 6.826 2 104 8.152 7.233 1056.494 6.098 1 106 7.797 6.589 2 107 7.663 6.841 2 108 8.117 6.679 1 1097.176 6.588 2 110 7.713 6.352 2 111 7.561 6.357 1 112 7.54 6.482 3 113<5 <5 114 7.428 6.125 3 115 <5 5.695 116 7.159 6.065 1 117 <5 5.759 1186.741 5.276 3 119 5.215 <5 120 6.491 5.994 1 121 6.833 5.557 3 122 7.06<5 123 6.787 5.589 3 124 8.358 7.32 3 125 8.659 7.031 2 126 8.456 6.9891 127 8.482 7.162 3 128 8.078 7.09 2 129 7.107 6.687 3 130 6.159 6.124 2131 6.058 6.263 2 132 7.162 6.336 133 7.869 5.899 2 134 7.662 6.501 2135 7.631 6.542 3 136 7.288 6.29 1 137 7.169 5.951 2 138 7.545 6.604 2139 7.612 7.258 140 7.739 7.001 141 7.125 6.004 142 8.01 6.543 3 1437.002 5.879 3 144 8.428 7.089 3 145 8.06 6.555 1 146 8.565 6.926 1476.765 6.159 1 148 7.94 6.755 1 149 8.175 6.843 2 150 8.011 6.784 2 1518.152 6.864 3 152 8.156 6.785 3 153 8.7 6.561 154 8.869 7.194 1 1557.939 7.06 156 8.568 7.523 157 8.228 7.017 3 158 7.784 6.351 2 159 8.617.018 3 160 8.272 6.556 2 162 8.215 6.933 3 162 7.83 7.039 1 163 8.5537.37 164 8.308 7.316 2 165 7.947 7.255 1 166 7.969 7.212 1 167 7.5796.968 3 168 8.766 7.195 3 169 8.338 7.14 3 170 8.227 7.185 3 171 8.457.327 3 172 8.566 7.191 3 173 8.423 7.152 3 174 8.212 7.095 3 175 7.6917.162 1 176 6.513 6.082 2 177 6.428 6.511 1 178 7.99 7.122 1 179 7.1466.925 2 180 <5 <5 181 7.098 6.925 3 182 7.634 7.06 1 183 7.631 5.634 2184 7.22 7.202 1 185 6.417 6.795 1 186 6.539 6.253 2D. Composition Example: Film-coated TabletsPreparation of Tablet Core

A mixture of 100 g of a compound of formula (I), 570 g lactose and 200 gstarch is mixed well and thereafter humidified with a solution of 5 gsodium dodecyl sulphate and 10 g polyvinyl-pyrrolidone in about 200 mlof water. The wet powder mixture is sieved, dried and sieved again. Thenthere is added 100 g microcrystalline cellulose and 15 g hydrogenatedvegetable oil. The whole is mixed well and compressed into tablets,giving 10.000 tablets, each comprising 10 mg of a compound of formula(I).

Coating

To a solution of 10 g methyl cellulose in 75 ml of denaturated ethanolthere is added a solution of 5 g of ethyl cellulose in 150 ml ofdichloromethane. Then there are added 75 ml of dichloromethane and 2.5ml 1,2,3-propanetriol 10 g of polyethylene glycol is molten anddissolved in 75 ml of dichloromethane. The latter solution is added tothe former and then there are added 2.5 g of magnesium octadecanoate, 5g of polyvinyl-pyrrolidone and 30 ml of concentrated colour suspensionand the whole is homogenated. The tablet cores are coated with the thusobtained mixture in a coating apparatus.

1. A compound of formula (I),

the N-oxide forms, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts andthe stereo-chemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein n is 1; t is 0 andwhen t is 0 then a direct bond is intended; each Q is

each X is

each Y is

each Z is nitrogen or

R¹ is —C(O)NR⁷R⁸, —N(H)C(O)R⁹, —C(O)—C₁₋₆alkanediyl SR⁹,—NR¹⁰C(O)N(OH)R⁹, —NR¹⁰C(O)C₁₋₆alkanediyl SR⁹, —NR¹⁰C(O)C═N(OH)R⁹ oranother Zn-chelating-group wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are each independentlyselected from hydrogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl,aminoC₁₋₆alkyl or aminoaryl; R⁹ is independently selected hydrogen,C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpyrazinyl,pyridinone, pyrrolidinone or methylimidazolyl; R¹⁰ is independentlyselected hydrogen or C₁₋₆alkyl; R² is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, amino,nitro, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino,hydroxyamino or naphtalenylsulfonylpyrazinyl; -L- is a direct bond; eachR³ represents a hydrogen atom and one hydrogen atom can be replaced byaryl; R⁴ is hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl, hydroxycarbonyl,aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkylamino C₁₋₆alkyl ordi(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino C₁₋₆alkyl;

 is a radical selected from

 wherein each s is independently 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5; each R⁵ and R⁶ areindependently selected from hydrogen; halo; hydroxy; amino; nitro;trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyl substitutedwith aryl and C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyloxy;C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; cyanoC₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxy; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylamino;aminoC₁₋₆alkyloxy; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino carbonyl;di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)amino; (aryl)(C₁₋₆ alkyl)amino;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyloxy; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkylamino;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl; arylsulfonyl;arylsulfonylamino; aryloxy; aryloxyC₁₋₆alkyl; arylC₂₋₆alkenediyl;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; cyano;thiophenyl; thiophenyl substituted withdi(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinyl,C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl, morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, ordi(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; furanyl substituted withhydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; benzofuranyl; imidazolyl; oxazolyl; oxazolylsubstituted with aryl and C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyltriazolyl; tetrazolyl;pyrrolidinyl; pyrrolyl; piperidinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; morpholinyl;C₁₋₆alkylmorpholinyl; morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl;morpholinylC₁₋₆alkylamino; morpholinylC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl;piperazinyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;piperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl; naphtalenylsulfonylpiperazinyl;naphtalenylsulfonylpiperidinyl; naphtalenylsulfonyl:C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkylamino;C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylsulfonyl; aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;aminosulfonylpiperazinyl; aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinyl;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl;piperidinylaminoC₁₋₆alkylamino; piperidinylaminoC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl;(C₁₋₆alkylpiperidinyl)(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkylamino;(C₁₋₆alkylpiperidinyl)(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl;hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl;hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl; di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;pyrrolidinylC₁₋₆alkyl; pyrrolidinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; pyrazolyl;thiopyrazolyl; pyrazolyl substituted with two substituents selected fromC₁₋₆alkyl or trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted withC₁₋₆alkyloxy, aryloxy or aryl; pyrimidinyl;tetrahydropyrimidinylpiperazinyl;tetrahydropyrimidinylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl; quinolinyl; indolyl; phenyl;phenyl substituted with one, two or three substituents independentlyselected from halo, amino, nitro, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyloxy,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylsulfonyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy,C₁₋₄alkyloxycarbonyl, aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino carbonyl,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₄alkyl,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylamino(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, cyano, piperidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, aminosulfonylpiperazinyl,aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinyl,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,C₁₋₄alkyloxypiperidinyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₄alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)amino,di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, furanyl, furanyl substituted with—CH═CH—CH═CH—, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,morpholinyl, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyl,morpholinylC₁₋₄alkylamino, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₄alkyl,piperazinyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,piperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkylamino,C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl,tetrahydropyrimidinylpiperazinyl,tetrahydropyrimidinylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,piperidinylaminoC₁₋₄alkylamino, piperidinylaminoC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₄alkyl,(C₁₋₄alkylpiperidinyl)(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylamino,(C₁₋₄alkylpiperidinyl)(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₄alkyl,pyridinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylamino,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylaminoC₁₋₄alkyl, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylamino,aminothiadiazolyl, aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, orthiophenylC₁₋₄alkylamino; the central

 moiety may also be bridged (i.e. forming a bicyclic moiety) with amethylene, ethylene or propylene bridge; each R⁵ and R⁶ can be placed onthe nitrogen in replacement of the hydrogen; aryl in the above isphenyl, or phenyl substituted with one or more substituents eachindependently selected from halo, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy,trifluoromethyl, cyano or hydroxycarbonyl.
 2. A compound as claimed inclaim 1 wherein R⁷ and R⁸ are each independently selected from hydrogen,hydroxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl or aminoaryl; R² is hydrogen,halo, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl,hydroxyamino or naphtalenylsulfonylpyrazinyl; R⁴ is hydrogen, hydroxy,amino, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl,hydroxycarbonyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxycarbonylC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxyaminocarbonyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl,C₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;

 is a radical selected from (a-1), (a-20), (a-21), or (a-27); each R⁵and R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen; halo; hydroxy; amino;nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy;C₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl;cyanoC₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxy;hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylamino; aminoC₁₋₆alkyloxy; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino carbonyl;di(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)amino; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyloxy;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkylamino; arylsulfonyl; arylsulfonylamino;aryloxy; arylC₂₋₆alkenediyl; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; cyano; thiophenyl;thiophenyl substituted withdi(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl ordi(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; imidazolyl;C₁₋₆alkyltriazolyl; tetrazolyl; piperidinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; morpholinyl;C₁₋₆alkylmorpholinyl; morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylsulfonyl;aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinyl;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl;hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl;hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl;(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; pyrrolidinylC₁₋₆alkyloxy;pyrazolyl; thiopyrazolyl; pyrazolyl substituted with two substituentsselected from C₁₋₆alkyl or trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; pyridinyl; pyridinylsubstituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy or aryl; pyrimidinyl; quinolinyl; phenyl;phenyl substituted with one, two or three substituents independentlyselected from halo, amino, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy,C₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkyloxy, aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,piperidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,aminosulfonylpiperazinyl, aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinyl,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,C₁₋₄alkyloxypiperidinyl, C₁₋₄alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₄alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinyl,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy,morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyl,C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylamino, di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)amino,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkylamino, aminothiadiazolyl,aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, or thiophenylC₁₋₄alkylamino.
 3. Acompound as claimed in claim 1 wherein t is 0; R¹ is —C(O)NR⁷R⁸,—C(O)—C₁₋₆alkanediylSR⁹, —NR¹⁰C(O)N(OH)R⁹, —NR¹⁰C(O)C₁₋₆alkanediylSR⁹,—NR¹⁰C(O)C═N(OH)R⁹or another Zn-chelating-group wherein R⁷ and R⁸ areeach independently selected from hydrogen, hydroxy, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, oraminoC₁₋₆alkyl; R² is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, amino, nitro, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; -L- is a directbond; R⁴ is hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkyloxy, arylC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl, aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkylaminoC₁₋₆alkyl or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;

is a radical selected from (a-1), (a-20), or (a-21); each s isindependently 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; R⁵ is hydrogen; halo; hydroxy; amino;nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy;C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl;hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; aryloxy; di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; cyano; thiophenyl;furanyl; furanyl substituted with hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; benzofuranyl;imidazolyl; oxazolyl; oxazolyl substituted with aryl and C₁₋₆alkyl;C₁₋₆alkyltriazolyl; tetrazolyl; pyrrolidinyl; pyrrolyl; morpholinyl;C₁₋₆alkylmorpholinyl; piperazinyl; C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl;hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinyl; pyrazoly;pyrazolyl substituted with one or two substituents selected fromC₁₋₆alkyl or trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted withC₁₋₆alkyloxy, aryloxy or aryl; pyrimidinyl; quinolinyl; indole; phenyl;or phenyl substituted with one or two substituents independentlyselected from halo, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkyloxy or trifluoromethyl; R⁶ ishydrogen; halo; hydroxy; amino; nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl;trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylcarbonyl;C₁₋₆alkyloxycarbonyl; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl; aryloxy;di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino; cyano; pyridinyl; phenyl; or phenyl substituted withone or two substituents independently selected from halo, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkyloxy or trifluoromethyl or the central

 moiety may also be bridged (i.e. forming a bicyclic moiety) with anethylene bridge.
 4. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein n is 1; tis 0; each Z is nitrogen; R¹⁰ is hydrogen; R² is hydrogen, nitro,C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, hydroxyamino ornaphtalenylsulfonylpyrazinyl; -L- is a direct bond; each R³ represents ahydrogen atom; R⁴ is hydrogen, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl,hydroxyaminocarbonyl or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;

is a radical selected from (a-1), (a-20), or (a-21); or each s isindependently 0, 1, 2 or 5; each R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selectedfrom hydrogen; halo; nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyloxy;C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; (aryl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;arylsulfonyl; aryloxy; arylC₂₋₆alkenediyl; di(C₁₋₆alky)amino;thiophenyl; thiophenyl substituted with di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl, morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, ordi(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; oxazolyl; pyrrolyl;pyrazolyl; pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy;quinolinyl; indolyl; phenyl; phenyl substituted with one, two or threesubstituents independently selected from halo, amino, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyloxy,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyl,pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyl,C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl, or the central

moiety may also be bridged (i.e. forming a bicyclic moiety) with amethylene bridge.
 5. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein n is 1; tis 0; each Z is nitrogen; R¹⁰ is hydrogen; R² is hydrogen, nitro,C₁₋₆alkyloxy, trifluoromethyl, di(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino, hydroxyamino ornaphtalenylsulfonylpyrazinyl; -L- is a direct bond; each R³ represents ahydrogen atom; R⁴ is hydrogen, hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl, aminocarbonyl,hydroxyaminocarbonyl or di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl;

is a radical selected from (a-1), (a-20), or (a-21); each s isindependently 0, 1, 2 or 5; each R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selectedfrom hydrogen; halo; nitro; trihaloC₁₋₆alkyl; trihalo C₁₋₆alkyloxy;C₁₋₆alkyl; C₁₋₆alkyloxy; C₁₋₆alkylsulfonyl; (aryl)(C₁₋₆alkyl)amino;arylsulfonyl; aryloxy; arylC₂₋₆alkenediyl; di(C₁₋₆alky)amino;thiophenyl; thiophenyl substituted withdi(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl,di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyloxyC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminosulfonylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkyloxypiperidinylC₁₋₆alkyl, morpholinylC₁₋₆alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, ordi(hydroxyC₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; oxazolyl; pyrrolyl;pyrazolyl; pyridinyl; pyridinyl substituted with C₁₋₆alkyloxy;quinolinyl; indolyl; phenyl; phenyl substituted with one, two or threesubstituents independently selected from halo, amino, C₁₋₆alkyl,C₁₋₆alkyloxy, hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyloxy,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyloxyC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl,di(hydroxyC₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyl,pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy, morpholinylC₁₋₄alkyl,C₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl, or the central

moiety may also be bridged (i.e. forming a bicyclic moiety) with amethylene bridge.
 6. A compound as claimed in claim 1 wherein n is 1; tis 0; each Z is nitrogen; R¹ is —C(O)NH(OH); R² is hydrogen; -L- is adirect bond; each R³ represents a hydrogen atom; R⁴ is hydrogen;

is a radical selected from (a-1) or (a-20); each s is independently 0 or1; each R⁵ and R⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen; thiophenyl;thiophenyl substituted with di(C₁₋₆alkyl)aminoC₁₋₆alkyl, orC₁₋₆alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₆alkyl; furanyl; phenyl; phenyl substituted withone substituents independently selected fromdi(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyloxy, di(C₁₋₄alkyl)amino,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,di(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl(C₁₋₄alkyl)aminoC₁₋₄alkyl,pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyl, pyrrolidinylC₁₋₄alkyloxy orC₁₋₄alkylpiperazinylC₁₋₄alkyl.
 7. A pharmaceutical compositioncomprising pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and as an activeingredient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound as claimedin claims
 1. 8. A process of preparing a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising intimately mixing one or more pharmaceutically acceptablecarriers and the compound of claim
 1. 9. A process for preparing acompound of claim 1, comprising a) reacting an intermediate of formula(II) with an acid yielding a hydroxamic acid of formula (I-a), whereinR¹ is —C(O)NH(OH)

b) catalytic hydrogenation of an intermediate of formula (VI) withhydrogen in the presence of a catalyst with the formation of ahydroxamic acid of formula (I-a), wherein R¹ is —C(O)NH(OH)

c) reacting an intermediate of formula (VII) with an intermediate offormula (VIII) wherein R′ is

 in the presence ofN-(ethylcarbonimidoyl)-N,N-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine,monohydrochloride (EDC) and hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBT), yielding acompound of formula (I-b) wherein R¹ is


10. A method of detecting or identifying a HDAC in a biological samplecomprising detecting or measuring the formation of a complex between alabelled compound as defined in claim 1 and a HDAC.
 11. A combination ofan anti-cancer agents and a HDAC inhibitor as claimed in claim
 1. 12.The compound of claim 1 which is